Homes destroyed

A massive wildfire in Northern California has torched more than 1000 homes in and around the city of Redding, authorities said yesterday as some evacuees were allowed to return home and new blazes exploded in what has become an endless summer of flame in the Golden State. “Whatever resources are needed, we’re putting them there,” Governor Jerry Brown said at a news conference. “Every year is teaching the fire authorities new lessons. We’re in uncharted territory.” Just a month into the budget year, the state has already spent more than one-quarter of its annual fire budget, at least US$125 million ($184.7m), California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokesman Mike Mohler said. At least three new fires erupted yesterday in the Sierra Nevada region, including a blaze in Placer County that had consumed 4sq km of land.