Extreme conditions expected to stoke California blazes
REDDING (California): Extreme weather conditions are expected to return and could stoke wildfires in California where thousands of weary firefighters are battling the destructive and deadly blazes.
In the Redding area, where the Carr Fire has killed six people, including two firefighters, fierce winds of 40kph, temperatures above 35°C and extremely low humidity were in the forecast until tomorrow, the National Weather Service said.
This could lead to “dangerous and rapid irregular spreading of a large wildfire”, the service said.
The Carr Fire has destroyed more than 1,546 structures in and around Redding, a city of 90,000 people about 260km north of the state capital, Sacramento.
Authorities on Wednesday reopened more evacuated neighbourhoods as ground crews, aided by diminished winds, extended buffer lines carved out of thick, dry brush along the fire’s edge to 35% of its perimeter, officials said.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) commanders said on Wednesday the fire, sparked by a vehicle on July 23, was burning with far less intensity this week and posed little immediate threat to populated areas.
Despite the outlook, strong gusts along the upper ridge lines were a concern on the fire’s rugged western flanks.
More than 4,200 firefighters have spent 11 days battling the blaze, which has scorched 49,000ha, laying waste to entire neighbourhoods in the scenic Shasta-Trinity region.
Law enforcement officials said the last four people reported as missing among a list of 20 whose names were published on Tuesday were located safe on Wednesday.
The Carr Fire was one of eight large wildfires burning in the state and 93 burning in the United States, mostly in the West, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. — Reuters