GUINDA, Calif. - A massive wildfire in rural Northern California has exploded in size and forced evacuations in hot, dry weather that is sweeping through several Western states where blazes are threatening thousands of homes.
The fast-moving fire that started over the weekend northwest of Sacramento grew dramatically to about 70 square miles (180 square kilometres) by Monday, largely burning out of control in rugged terrain with a few cattle and horse ranches and sending smoke and ash as far south as San Francisco.
The fire that started Saturday in Yolo County, about 100 miles (160 kilometres) northeast of San Francisco, spread to neighbouring Napa County as strong winds pushed smoke south, dusting cars and homes with a thin layer of grey ash. No injuries were reported.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokesman Gabe Lauderbale said the sprawling wildfire is burning through 1.5 square miles (4 square kilometres) of rugged terrain an hour.
“This fire is absolutely, extremely fast-moving,” Lauderbale said.
About 300 people are under mandatory evacuation orders and more than 100 buildings are threatened.
Slightly cooler temperatures are in the forecast later Monday but gusty winds that could spread the blaze are also expected, Lauderbale said.
The hot, windy conditions fueling the fire and others across the West are expected to persist through the end of July in Utah and parts of California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Washington, U.S. fire officials said. The Southwest, which has been struggling with drought, should get enough rain in early July to reduce the risk of major blazes in Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico, the National Interagency Fire Center said Sunday.
The California blaze was just 3 per cent contained, Lauderbale. In comparison, a deadly wildfire that destroyed whole neighbourhoods in Sonoma County last year burned 57 square miles (147 square kilometres).
In Colorado, more than 2,500 homes were under evacuation orders as firefighters battle more than a half-dozen wildfires. Most of the evacuations in effect were due to a 78-square-mile (202-square-kilometre) wildfire in southern Colorado that authorities believe was human-caused.
Jesper Joergensen, 52, of Denmark, was arrested on arson charges, the Costilla County Sheriff's Office said. Investigators have not released other details except to say that they don't think he intentionally started the fire.
Immigration officials have requested that they be allowed to take custody of him if he's released from jail.
People have fled about 570 homes near a 2-square-mile (6-square-kilometre) fire that started Friday west of Colorado Springs. About 360 children at a camp also had to be evacuated by the Chateau Fire.
In neighbouring Wyoming, about 150 firefighters tried to contain a wildfire burning in the Medicine Bow National Forest near the Colorado border. It has burned about 33 square miles (85 square kilometres) since June 10. The fire is about 80 per cent contained but flared up in the last week, prompting authorities to advise some residents to prepare to evacuate.
A wildfire burning in hot and dry conditions in Utah has forced the evacuation of about seven to 10 seasonal cabins near a popular fishing reservoir. The homes that are threatened about 80 miles (129 kilometres) southeast of Salt Lake City are not primary residences.
The fire has scorched about 10 square miles (25 square kilometres) near Strawberry Reservoir and officials believe it is human-caused but are investigating, said Jason Curry of the Utah Division of Forest, Fire and State Lands.
This story has been corrected to show that officials say the fire in Northern California is burning in two counties and that an agency website saying it spanned three counties was incorrect.
