Wildfire closes many top Yosemite sites
Iconic Yosemite Valley off-limits, but much of sprawling park remains open
REDDING, Calif. – A wildfire roaring out of control Sunday in Northern California has claimed at least six lives, burned hundreds of homes and driven more than 30,000 stunned, mourning residents from their communities.
More than 3,000 firefighters were battling the blaze, which had grown to
140 square miles. High temperatures and heavy winds conspired to complicate the effort backed by more than
300 fire engines and 17 helicopters. The fire remained only 5 percent contained Sunday despite “aggressive” efforts to control the blaze, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
“Extreme fire conditions continue to challenge firefighters,” Cal Fire said in a statement. “Erratic winds and hot dry conditions resulted in greater growth and increased fire behavior during night operations.”
The wildfire was among more than a dozen in California requiring more than 10,000 firefighters and chasing
50,000 people from their homes. Redding sits on the Sacramento River about 170 miles north of the state capital and 120 miles south of the Oregon border. Some neighborhoods were forced to evacuate, along with parts of the nearby Shasta County communities, including Happy Valley, Igo and Ono. As the fire roared west, residents of the Trinity County town of Lewiston were ordered to evacuate.
Wayne and Laura Rathe said they were fully aware of the wildfire danger that comes with living “in the woods” outside Redding. They took defensive measures and evacuated Thursday.
Saturday, they learned their home of almost 20 years was gone.
“We did everything right,” Laura Rathe said. “It’s crazy, it’s unbelievable, it’s a nightmare.”
The fire was ignited Monday when a vehicle malfunctioned near the Carr Powerhouse in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, according to Cal Fire. More than a dozen people have been reported missing, but authorities said most probably were out of touch with friends and neighbors.
The confirmed fatalities included James Roberts, 5, and his sister, Emily,
4, and their great-grandmother Melody Bledsoe, 74.
“I’m just devastated,” said Eddy Bledsoe, Melody’s husband. “All she lived for were them kids and me.”
Bulldozer operator Don Ray Smith,
81, was killed while clearing debris when his position was overrun by the flames. Jeremy Stoke, a 14-year firefighter, also was among the victims. The sixth victim was not immediately identified.
Bendu and Sandhu reported from Redding; Bacon from McLean, Virginia. Contributing: Christal Hayes.