Brush fire destroys homes in San Diego County, California; Hundreds evacuated

It has destroyed 10 structures, damaged two and threatened 110.

Meanwhile, California’s largest wildfire of the year, the County Fire, could grow more active and smoky as higher temperatures, lower humidities and stronger winds return to Yolo and Napa counties, Cal Fire said.

“Crews are making good progress”, said Capt. Kendal Bortisser of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. That blaze destroyed more than 1,000 buildings in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.

There are also multiples fires burning in California.

That blaze, which broke out on Saturday in steep, inaccessible terrain about 45 miles northwest of Sacramento and spans more than 88,000 acres, has so far largely burned away from populated areas.

A brush fire that destroyed about 20 homes in Goleta and cause thousands of evacuations reached 80 percent containment Saturday.

The most serious of the fires was burning along Interstate 8 near Alpine and was out of control, KTLA reported.

Mandatory evacuations were issued for 3,200 people, Santa Barbara County said in a news release.

A fire official says a person has died in a fast-moving blaze near the California-Oregon border.

The estimated size of the blaze, dubbed the “West Fire”, Saturday remained at 400 acres, according to CalFire officials.

Additional information on Cal Fire’s website.

Record-breaking heat contributed to the danger this past week. “Firefighters will continue to do aggressive mop-up of hot spots in the impacted area”, the county said in a statement announcing the changes.

“It is suggested impacted residents secure valuables, essential documents, needed medications, pets, and other animals as soon as possible and leave the area until the area is declared safe”.

The current heatwave has also prompted health concerns in southern California especially, even for those not affected by the wildfires. “They need to take that responsibility on to have their go kits ready to go”, McLean said.

The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s office confirmed a civilian fatality from the fire on Friday but declined to identify the person while they notify next of kin.

The Red Cross has opened an Evacuation Center at the Goleta Valley Community Center at 5679 Hollister Avenue, according to the SB county Twitter.