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Evacuations lifted as firefighters gain ground against Northern California

Officials said the fire had already wiped out dozens of buildings and continued to threaten almost 7,000others.

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South Complex: Multiple fires totalling 15,496 acres in Trinity County near Hyampom, south of Highway 299, 5 percent contained.

In areas where fires had been put out, charred cars were all that was left behind on some roads, and trees were left smoldering on the blackened earth.

Lodi Fire Department first sent a crew of five people last week to join the strike team at the Lowell Fire until the big Wragg Fire broke out near Lake Berryessa and they were dispatched to fight that fire.

Woodbridge firefighters were assigned to the Wragg and Rocky fires and were on the list to be head home as of Thursday afternoon.

CLEAR LAKE | The Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce is asking the public’s help raising money for the fire-stricken community of Clearlake, California.

As of Wednesday, the fire was 30 percent contained with 39 homes destroyed.

“It’s huge progress”, she said.

Dozens of homeowners are facing the harsh reality of going back to their place where their home once stood with nothing there.

More than 12,000 Californians have been ordered or advised to evacuate due to the Rocky Fire.

“My little baby girls were crying and hugging wanted daddy to go with them but I told them everything gonna be alright”, said Spring Valley resident Todd Southwick.

“What’s it all mean?” she said.

She had taken her cats and dogs to a friend’s house, but had to leave her eight chickens behind.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. But an 11,400-acre fire in Lassen County near the Nevada border was still burning.

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One firefighter died from smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning while battling the Frog Fire in northeastern California. The body of Black Hills National Forest Engine Capt. David Ruhl has been returned to his home in Rapid City, South Dakota. Dry, hot conditions are fueling wildfires, many of which – especially in the north – have been sparked by lightning.

Firefighters with a California Office of Emergency Services strike team take a break from mopping up hot spots on the Rocky Fire. Career firefighters working the blaze say they've never before seen a wildfire burn