Raging wildfire kills 1 in California

HORNBROOK, Calif. — A wildfire raging through timber and brush near California’s border with Oregon killed one person and destroyed multiple structures as it burned largely out of control, authorities said Friday.

No other details were released about the death blamed on the fire that threatened 300 homes near Hornbook, a town of 250 people about 14 miles south of the Oregon border. It’s not clear the flames burned homes or other structures like barns.

It was one of dozens of fires across the dry American West, fueled by rising temperatures and gusty winds expected to last through the weekend. Heat spreading from Southern California into parts of Arizona, Nevada and Utah threatened to worsen flames that have forced thousands to evacuate and destroyed hundreds of homes. Though details were lacking, the Klamathon fire in Hornbrook, Calif., was being blamed for one death Friday.

On the CaliforniaOregon border, the fire ignited Thursday and moved through the region, said Ray Haupt, chairman of the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors.

California Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency, citing “extreme peril” to people and property.

Farther north in Oregon, authorities urged hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts to avoid forests near the state line. Although flames have not crossed

into Oregon, officials are concerned people in remote areas can’t be reached if they need to evacuate.

The areas of concern include the Pacific Crest Trail, Mount Ashland and the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. Fire danger could prohibit rescuers from looking for anyone, the Jackson County sheriff’s office said.

Elsewhere, a blaze northwest of Sacramento had destroyed nine homes, officials said. Firefighters had begun inspecting the fire zone, which covers an area nearly three times the size of San Francisco.

The fire, spanning 140 square miles, was partially contained, but crews struggled in rugged terrain. With the weather getting hotter and drier, officials said the fire could grow.

About 75 miles east of Los Angeles, a wildfire in the San Bernardino National Forest prompted mandatory evacuations for the entire community of Forest Falls, which has about 700 homes and about 1,000 residents.

In San Diego County, a wildfire burned a handful of homes.

San Diego Gas and Electric said nearly 1,700 customers were without power after the fire damaged the electric system.

In the same county, a new fire on the Camp Pendleton Marine base prompted the evacuation of 750 homes.