;ildfires burn ahead of windsc heat
Firefighters made progress on two of the three major wildfires burning in "orthern California over Independence Day weekend.
Fire crews boosted containment Tuesday, despite a heightened fire weather and gusting winds up to 3~ mph that threatened to undo their efforts, officials said.
Cal Fire said Tuesday that wildfire activity has increased dramatically compared to the same time last year. There have been Ø~0 more wildfires in 2021 compared to the same period a year ago, with more than 2,000 more acres scorched.
With tripledigit temperatures and another California heat wave expected Thursday, here’s a look at three significant fires still ablaze:
The Tennant Fire grew to more than 10,600 acres on the eastern side of Klamath "ational Forest and was ~ؽ contained as of Tuesday afternoon. Containment is predicted to rise by Wednesday morning, said Irvin Barragan, a spokesman with the fire command center.
Fire lines held around the perimenter of the blaze, despite strong winds that threatened to carry embers from stillsmoldering interior hotspots Tuesday afternoon, Barragan said.
Officials were investigating the cause of the wildfire, which destroyed one occupied home, an outhouse and an abandoned lodge. The 200
evacuated residents returned to their homes after officials lifted all evacuation orders and warnings for the area. "o injuries or casualties have been reported.
Fire crews established a strong barrier along Highway ¥Ø, which reopened to cars over the weekend after encroaching flames forced its closure last week. Authorities have lowered the speed limit to ~~ mph and warn the public to drive cautiously.
The Salt Fire burned through more than 12,000 acres east of I~ and south of Lakehead in Shasta County and was 20½ contained by Tuesday afternoon. Fire officials suspect the blaze was
sparked after “extremely hot materials” were flung from a slowmoving car traveling on I~ last week.
The fire destroyed 2Ø residences and 1 outbuildings, said Daron Wyatt, a public information officer with a multiagency team responding to the fire.
One firefighter had a heatrelated injury due to temperature and dehydration. He was admitted to a hospital and has already returned to work, Wyatt said. The wildfire has not caused any other injuries or casualties. The number of local residents evacuated from the area remained between ~0 and 600.
The 2~,000acre Lava Fire near Mount Shasta in
Siskiyou County was Ø1½ contained as of Tuesday morning. Fire crews were looking to make more progress on containing the north side of the fire near Whitney Creek as well as parts of the south side of the fire in Diller Canyon.
Highway ¥Ø has been reopened to the public after crews established strong line along the northwest side of the fire. A red flag warning was put in place for up to 3~ mph gusts that could push the fire northward.