Lapse Shows Smoke From Jerusalem Wildfire

The Jerusalem Fire, which broke out Sunday afternoon in the Jerusalem Valley area in Lake County, has consumed 5,000 acres so far this morning, according to Cal Fire.

Officials say one person from the motor home was burned, but crews were able to contain the fire and the evacuation has since been lifted. That inferno has destroyed nearly 100 buildings, roughly half of which were homes, and sent hundreds of people fleeing.

A massive mushroom cloud caused by the fire could be seen all the way from Marin county.

Officials say the fire has been 70 percent contained and full containment is expected by Friday.

A grass fire that started in the small town of Sherwood, Oregon, about 18 miles (29 km) southwest of Portland, caused much of the historic Portland and Western Railroad trestle to collapse overnight, Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue said in a statement.

A total of 50 structures still remained threatened.

The Anza fire, about 20 miles southeast of Hemet in Riverside County, has burned 487 acres and was 50% contained as night fell Tuesday, according to the county’s Fire Department.

The 14,000-acre fire now five percent contained and it’s getting close to merging with the even larger Rocky Fire. A lack of improved roads and erratic winds are working against firefighters battling the blaze.

Evacuation orders were lifted Monday for 900 homes after crews made solid efforts in protecting them. “Steep and rugged terrain is making it hard for firefighters to make access to various parts of the fire”.

Statewide, 16 active wildfires were burning and being fought by more than 11,000 firefighters.

While temperatures this past week have been relatively mild, it’s the gusty winds and the dry conditions encouraging the wildfires. “Damage assessment has been completed and firefighters continue to establish and construct containment lines and implement the suppression fix plan”.

Once the fire crossed Morgan Valley Road, it sparked multiple spot fires, threatening a UC Davis extension research center nearby.

– A wildfire in Lewis County, Washington, charred about 100 acres and was controlled Tuesday.

– This summer’s fire season has officially become the second biggest on record in Alaska. Fire spokesman Sam Harrel says Alaska won’t beat the 6.6 million acres burned in 2004 because the state has entered its seasonal wet period.