More people returned to their homes Friday as firefighters made significant progress against a huge wildfire burning in Southern California’s San Bernardino National Forest, but that was tempered by the announcement that at least 96 homes and 213 outbuildings were destroyed. Multiple vehicles (which includes boats, RVs, trailers, and water tanks) were also damaged or destroyed.
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About 82,000 people were ordered to leave their properties Tuesday when the fire broke out 60 miles east of Los Angeles. Dillon said the residents were “very pleased” to know the Lytle Creek area was open, and he said that those still under evacuation orders were being patient.
Even amid the tragedy of the fire, there was at least one happy moment – one of Bowerman’s dogs gave birth to a litter of puppies while they were living in her vehicle.
“What I’m hoping is someone stuck around hiding someplace”, Santore said.
In the meantime, she’s begun looking into how to replace birth certificates, the deed to their house and other important documents they are unlikely to recover.
Four firefighters from the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department were recently sent to help with the massive Chimney Fire in San Luis Obispo County. It remained closed Sunday. That fire had scorched 250 acres, and officials said some homes were likely destroyed.
Hearst Castle closes occasionally due to bad weather, but State Parks supervising ranger Robert Chambers said he couldn’t recall a time when it closed because of a wildfire.
A popular tourist attraction along the Central Coast, the estate was conceived by Hearst to display his art collection.
In the Santa Ynez Mountains above Santa Barbara, a wildfire expanded to almost 37 square miles as it chewed through critically dry brush, grass and oak canopies.
According to San Bernardino County’s website, the fire is now 85% contained, covering just over 37-thousand acres.
At Lower Lake, 80 miles north of San Francisco, recovery efforts remained underway in the aftermath of hard-hit Lake County’s latest wildfire, which destroyed 189 homes since erupting August 13. Several other nearby communities have been under evacuation orders for days.
Just 20 percent contained, the blaze has caused the closure of campgrounds and recreation areas but remains far from communities.
Cal Fire said the fire has destroyed 57 homes and charred 133 square miles.
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Information for this article was contributed by Olga Rodriguez of The Associated Press.
