California

Crews Build Containment Around Destructive California Fires

The state's largest blaze, the 138-square-mile County Fire burning in Napa and Yolo counties, is 57 percent contained

Firefighters have been able to build containment around several destructive wildfires burning in California.

The state's largest blaze, the 138-square-mile County Fire burning in Napa and Yolo counties, is 57 percent contained. It has destroyed 10 structures since it broke out June 30. It's one of many fires burning around the drought-ridden states in the U.S. West.

Meanwhile in heat-stricken Southern California, crews have built at least 80 percent containment on a wildfire that destroyed 20 homes in Santa Barbara County and a central San Diego County fire that burned 18 structures.

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North near the California-Oregon border, the Klamathon Fire grew to 48 square miles and leapt into Oregon overnight. It was 25 percent contained.

The fire killed one person in their home and destroyed 72 structures, including houses. It also injured three firefighters, including one who had severe burns to his face, according to a Gofundme page that raised more than $28,000 for him in less than 24 hours.

The Cal Fire firefighter, Brandon Feller, was injured battling the blaze the day it broke out on Thursday but was making a strong recovery, according to the page.

More than 2,300 firefighters continued to fight the fire Sunday amid low humidity and strong winds. Crews were hoping to keep it from jumping a river and threatening additional communities.

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Other major fires in the state are close to being fully contained.

The Pawnee Fire, which has scorched at least 15,185 acres in Lake County over the past two two weeks, was 96 percent contained as of Sunday morning, according to Cal Fire. One person has been injured during the blaze.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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