Deadly California fires wreak havoc
– Extreme weather conditions yesterday stoked 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 40km/h, temperatures above 35oC 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 in an advisory.
The Carr Fire has destroyed more than 1 546 structures in and around Redding, a city of 90 000 people 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 commanders said on Wednesday the fire, sparked by a vehicle on July 23, was burning with far less intensity this week.
Despite the outlook, strong gusts along the upper ridge lines were a concern on the fire’s rugged western flanks, a few miles from the town of Lewiston, which remained evacuated.
More than 4 200 firefighters have spent 11 days battling the blaze, which has scorched 49 000ha.