Bulldozer operator killed fighting California blaze
The operator of a bulldozer was killed when it rolled over during the fight against a wildfire near Big Sur that has destroyed 20 homes and spread across more than 93 square kilometres, California fire officials said Wednesday.
Another operator escaped injury when a second bulldozer rolled over and sustained minor damage, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
The name and age of the operator who was killed was not immediately available.
The death occurred as firefighters worked around the clock against the blaze near a scenic stretch of the California coast, where smoke and the threat of flames forced the closure of state parks near Big Sur, a popular tourist area.
At least 2,000 structures were threatened.
Firefighters got a break Wednesday
from cooler temperatures and increased humidity.
Pacific Coast Highway remained open Wednesday, but its signature views were marred by a dark haze.
“We wanted to see more of the ocean,” said Phoenix-area tourist Jim Newby, who drove along the highway with his family. “We didn’t see a whole lot of it unfortunately, and it’s a
beautiful, beautiful stretch.”
The blaze could crest a ridge and make a run toward campgrounds, lodges and redwoods closer to the shore, officials said.
To the south, firefighters made progress containing a huge blaze in mountains outside Los Angeles, allowing authorities to let most of 20,000 people evacuated over the weekend return home.