RAIN AIDS FIRE FIGHT, MAY BRING FLOODS
DURANGO» Rain is in the forecast for southwest Colorado, but officials warn that could also mean flash flooding.
More than 51 square miles have burned near Durango, and the 416 fire is just 20 percent contained.
Authorities have lifted evacuation orders for more than 800 homes and businesses, but hundreds of homes remain evacuated.
Heavy rain could now create new problems in the burned area, which has much less vegetation to hold back runoff. Up to an inch of rain was forecast for Saturday. La Plata County Emergency Management Director Butch Knowlton says even a small amount of rain can cause severe flooding. Knowlton says flooding could prompt new evacuations.
Planes helping fight Wyoming fire. Water-scooping planes are joining the fight against a wildfire in southeastern Wyoming.
Their task could get easier if predictions for heavy rain over the next several days come true.
The wildfire has forced the evacuation of dozens of homes and summer cabins near the Colorado line. Firefighters say they’re making progress, but the fire still isn’t contained after burning more than 23 square miles.
Two Bombardier “Super Scooper” planes are skimming water from a nearby lake to dump on the fire.
Appeals court reinstates California’s right-to-die law. ANGELES»
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A state appeals court has reinstated California’s law allowing terminally ill people to end their lives.
The 4th District Court of Appeals in Riverside issued an immediate stay Friday putting the End of Life Option back into effect. The court also gave opponents of its decision until July 2 to file objections.
The law allows adults to obtain a prescription for life-ending drugs if a doctor has determined that they have six months or less to live.
Riverside County Superior Court Judge Daniel Ottolia declared the law unconstitutional last month, stating that it had been adopted illegally because lawmakers passed it during a special legislative session called to address other matters.
Right-to-die advocates hailed Friday’s action, and state Attorney General Xavier Becerra also praised the decision.
“This ruling provides some relief to California patients, their families, and doctors who have been living in uncertainty while facing difficult health decisions,” Becerra said.
Oregon was the first to provide the option in 1997. It also is allowed in Washington, Vermont, Colorado, Hawaii and the District of Columbia.