Hundreds flee California wildfires as homes burn

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By JOSEPH SERNA

Several California wildfires have forced hundreds of residents to evacuate as firefighters contend with hot weather and steep, dry terrain.

The region of Yosemite National Park has been hit particularly hard, with a new wildfire in the area destroying several homes, authorities said.

The Courtney fire began about 1:40 p.m. near Oakhurst -- the same area where the Junction fire destroyed at least eight homes in August. Sunday’s flames overtook a ridge line at the Bass Lake Heights community southwest of Yosemite and ripped through the residential community, forcing about 1,000 people to evacuate.

At least 21 buildings have been destroyed by the fire, which was 20% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

FULL story and photos at link.





Read more: http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-california-wildfire-evacuations-20140915-story.html

[Brother Buzz]

1. King fire (Pollock Pines, Northern Calif) is another bad one

3,900 acres, 10% contained. No structures lost yet, but 600 homes are threatened.

http://www.sacbee.com/2014/09/15/6707757/king-fire-pollock-pines.html

[Brother Buzz]

3. The King fire double in size from just this morning

It's now estimated at 8,600 acres

[mountain grammy]

2. I wish that hurricane would bring some rain their way..

[XemaSab]

4. The town of Weed in NorCal is about to be wiped off the map

:\

[Brother Buzz]

5. Wow, fueled by 40 mph winds - more than 100 structures destroyed

All this from a fire that started just this afternoon!

N. California Boles Fire damages or destroys more than 100 buildings

A wildfire that broke out in Northern California Monday afternoon has damaged or destroyed more than 100 structures, forced at least 1,500 residents to evacuate and led to the shutdown of two highways, fire officials said.

The 350-acre fire broke out about 1:30 p.m. south of the town of Weed, said Daniel Berlant, a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The flames were fueled by 40 mph winds and dry conditions.

"With the incredible gust of winds, 40 mph, the fire was able to rage right into the community before we were able to get fire equipment into the scene," Berlant said. "The fire was starting ahead of itself; the embers thrown ahead touched the brush and structures."

The blaze, dubbed the Boles Fire, also led to the closure of Interstate 5 and U.S. 97. Weed is in Siskiyou County, about 50 miles south of the California-Oregon border.

Hundreds of firefighters were battling the flames, Berlant said. About 1,500 to 2,000 residents were being evacuated to the Siskiyou County fairgrounds.

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http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-weed-wildfire-20140915-story.html