California

Crews Continue Fight Against Wildfires Raging in California

The state's largest blaze, the 141-square-mile County Fire burning in Napa and Yolo counties, was 73 percent contained as of Monday morning

Firefighters continue to build containment around several destructive wildfires burning in California, though one stubborn blaze in the northern part of the state has grown significantly and crossed the border into Oregon.

The blaze on the California-Oregon state line known as the Klamathon Fire grew to 55 square miles and leapt into Oregon. It was 30 percent contained as of Monday morning, according to Cal Fire.

The fire, one of many in the drought-ridden U.S. West, killed one person in their home and destroyed 81 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 2,700 firefighters continued to fight the fire Monday amid low humidity and strong winds. 

In the Bay Area, a 640-acre wildfire flared up Sunday night and temporarily shut down Interstate 580 at the Altamont Pass in Alameda County. The blaze has since been fully contained.

The state's largest blaze, the 141-square-mile County Fire burning in Napa and Yolo counties, was 73 percent contained as of Monday morning. It has destroyed 16 structures since it broke out June 30.

Mandatory evacuations remain in place for areas west of State Highway 16 to Berryessa Knoxville Road, south of Old County Road 40, north of County Road 53, west of State Highway 16 to the Yolo/Lake County line, north of County Road 40, and south of the Yolo County line, according to Cal Fire.

The Pawnee Fire that burned in nearby Lake County was declared 100 percent contained Sunday night, according to Cal Fire. It scorched 15,185 acres.

Meanwhile in heat-stricken Southern California, crews have built at least 90 percent containment on two major wildfires — one that destroyed 20 homes in Santa Barbara County and a central San Diego County fire that has burned 56 structures.

Copyright The Associated Press
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