Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Parched California scorched by multiple wildfires
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Search
Search:
Parched California scorched by multiple wildfires
By JARED GRIGSBY,Associated Press Writer AP - Sunday, August 16
DAVENPORT, Calif. - Firefighters battled to gain control of a wildfire around Santa Cruz ahead of hot, dry winds that were expected to move into the area later Saturday.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Lockheed Fire in the Santa Cruz Mountains has blackened close to 8 square miles of remote wilderness since Wednesday and prompted mandatory evacuations of the mountain communities of Swanton and Bonny Doon, which have about 2,400 residents and several wineries.
The fire spread slightly overnight but crews gained some ground when the winds died down, containing nearly 30 percent of the fire, said CalFire spokeswoman Julie Hutchinson.
But crews were concerned about a forecast change in weather. An offshore wind was expected to blow into the area, bringing hotter temperatures, dropping the humidity and drying out the trees and brush.
"If we get those winds, those high temperatures and low humidity, it could definitely cause a much more rapid fire and a lot more fire spread," Hutchinson said.
No homes had been destroyed, and no injuries were reported. The blaze damaged two small structures and was threatening more than 1,000 homes and buildings. The cause is under investigation.
Other blazes throughout the parched state have forced evacuations and knocked out power. Smoke from a blaze in Yuba County north of Sacramento could be seen as far away as Reno.
Lt. Gov. John Garamendi declared a state of emergency Friday for Santa Cruz County. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has returned to California after attending the Massachusetts funeral of his mother-in-law, Eunice Shriver, is scheduled to visit the fire zone Saturday.
The Lockheed Fire blaze started Wednesday about 10 miles north of Santa Cruz. A change in winds shifted the fire away from Bonny Doon but closer to Swanton, CalFire spokesman Daniel Berlant said.
The steep, rugged terrain and dense vegetation have made it difficult to contain the blaze, so firefighters are focused on keeping flames away from homes, said Jim Stunkel, a battalion chief from San Jose.
"As the brush ignites, it's like a fireworks explosion, and the sparks rain down where the ranch houses are," he said.
Chris Sokoloff, 40, an electrician who moved to Bonny Doon from Portland, Ore., a week ago, spent the night at an evacuation center in Santa Cruz.
"It's really hit home this morning, seeing all the ash on the vehicles," Sokoloff said. "I got a big red hockey bag and that's all I got right now."
Hannah Good, a veterinarian who lives in Bonny Doon with her partner and two children, said workers helped to evacuate her birds, cats, donkey, pony and dog.
"It was quite a scramble getting the animals and our family out of there," Good said. "Once I smelled the smoke, I knew we had problems."
Meanwhile, more than 230 homes and ranches in canyons and ridges near a wildfire in the Los Padres National Forest remained under evacuation orders. The week-old fire in northern Santa Barbara County has grown to nearly 118 square miles, said U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Vicki Collins. An old, unoccupied fire station was burned.
Collins said the fire was 25 percent contained Saturday morning. Nearly 2,000 firefighters are fighting the blaze, which started last Saturday.
In Yuba County north of Sacramento, a wildfire covering more than 1.5 square miles Friday destroyed two homes, forced the evacuation of about 120 residences and knocked out power in the Sierra foothills town of Dobbins, according to CalFire spokeswoman Joann Cartoscelli.
More than 400 firefighters had contained about 35 percent of the fire _ about double what was contained the night before _ and were expected to make a decision Saturday afternoon on whether some residents could return to their homes, Cartoscelli said.
Crews also were trying to prevent the fire from spreading to the Colgate Powerhouse, the oldest powerhouse in the state. It provides electricity to the Dobbins area.
In Alameda County, more than 300 firefighters were struggling to control a wind-driven grass fire that had grown to about 23 square miles near Tracy, according to a CalFire report. The Corral Fire was threatening one home and was moving toward the juncture of Interstate 5 and Interstate 580, where officials worried it could affect visibility and traffic. It was about 20 percent contained.
In far northern California, Trinity County District Attorney Michael Harper has charged 60-year-old Brenda Eitzen of Los Molinos with two felonies and two misdemeanors alleging she negligently sparked a blaze by throwing away a lit cigarette Wednesday. The charges could bring a maximum four-year prison term. The Coffin Fire was expected to be contained later Saturday.
To the east, 10 rural homes remained evacuated as wind spread a fire in steep terrain near Burney. Firefighters had contained about 85 percent of the nearly 11-square-mile blaze about 200 miles north of Sacramento.
"They are making very good progress" said James Stewart, a CalFire spokesman. "It's just a matter of putting everything out now."
___
Associated Press Writers Samantha Young in Sacramento and Christopher Weber in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: World
Sudan opposition parties threaten vote boycottReuters - Sunday, August 16
Islamist leader among 24 killed in Gaza fightingAFP - Sunday, August 16
Ransom demanded for missing Russian-crewed shipAFP - Sunday, August 16
Iceland parliament nears vote on Icesave dealReuters - Sunday, August 16
U.S. senator meets Suu Kyi, Myanmar junta leaderReuters - Sunday, August 16
Most Popular – World
Viewed
Millions of salmon fail to turn up in Canada
Hundreds mourn Kennedy sister at funeral
Rare flowering of Chinese tree in Belgium
US study uncovers powerful anti-cancer compound
US industrial output rebounds, consumer prices flat
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Sunday, 16 August 2009 Iran's top leader appoints new judiciary chief
Ransom demanded for missing Russian-crewed ship
US-TECH Summary
Sudan opposition parties threaten vote boycott
Russia, Venezuela moot oil joint venture
Facebook to face off with new Web rivals
Iran to put 25 more vote protesters on trial
Five more US bank closures brings total to 77
Iran's leader appoints new judiciary chief: report
Somali pirates find 7 bodies, blame Egyptians
| International
|
Berlusconi pledges final blow to organized crime
| International
|
Ecuador plans local committees to defend revolution
| International
|
Parched California scorched by multiple wildfires
Senator wins release of US prisoner in Myanmar
Drake's Pa. oil well idea changed world in 1859
AP NewsAlert
Wash. group puts markers on graves of mentally ill
Tribal effort to fix broken world hinges on condor
Suicide bomber in Pakistan's Swat kills 5
China, Taiwan hold 1st swimming race in strait
US renews calls on Iran to release Americans
Study says China's pollution may reduce light rain
US senator has rare visit with Myanmar's Suu Kyi
Mich. cruisers worry days of classic cars are over
Japan records first death from swine flu
Iraqis uneasy at idea of early US withdrawal
China steel workers trap official in 4-day protest
American who visited Suu Kyi to be freed from Myanmar
Tax dodgers scramble to come clean amid crackdown
George Michael says he was sober during car crash
Bollywood star held in U.S. airport, fans outraged
As Afghans vote, US raises the stakes in war
Ex-banker to join British American Tobacco: report
Iran puts more post-vote detainees on trial
| International
|
In death, as in life, Jackson surrounded by wackiness
Myanmar's Suu Kyi still detained but American freed
| International
|
North Korea makes nuclear threat over military drills
| International
|
Bull leaves top Spanish matador unconscious: report
Hamas chief: Iran turmoil won't affect support
Spanish police clash with pro-ETA demonstrators
Islamist leader among 24 killed in Gaza fighting
Eternal resting spot next to Marilyn Monroe to be auctioned
Wildfire rages in northeastern Spanish
Singer George Michael arrested after car crash
U.S. sees shift in Pakistan focus
| International
|
Fire breaks out in Kuwaiti wedding tent, 41 killed
| International
|
Three Iraqis killed in firing practice accident
| International
|
Britain's Brown trails badly in two opinion polls
| International
|
Afghan woman candidate packs gun, wears trousers
| International
|
As farmers age, plans match aspirants with pros
Lawyers, factory workers, dentist: future farmers?
Obama heats up defense of health care plan
Insurgents target NATO HQ in Kabul as vote looms
Philippine leader calls for 'annihilation' of extremists
Obama defends healthcare plans, criticizes insurers
U.S. senator meets Suu Kyi, Myanmar junta leader
China beat Lebanon to book Iran basketball final
Bollywood star downplays incident at US airport
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,332
Mourners survey typhoon wreckage of Taiwan village
ND town tries for most fire trucks in a parade
Watergate attracts at least 6 potential buyers
Japan's big businesses expect recovery by mid-2010
Pakistan lowers interest rate as economy improves: official
Producers evict Chima Simone from 'Big Brother 11'
Bollywood icon detained at US airport
Bishops discuss Catholic church's woes in Asia
French minister calls for full ban on burka: report
Iran puts another 28 vote protesters on trial
NATO, Russia join forces in hunt for missing ship
Ahmadinejad plans female ministers in Iran cabinet
| International
|
Ahmadinejad plans female ministers in Iran cabinet
Chavez to visit Russia, Belarus, Libya in September
Taliban threaten to attack Afghan polling stations
Afghan election campaigns in full swing as poll nears
| International
|
US envoy hails Pakistan anti-Taliban gains
Iran's Mousavi to lead 'green hope' opposition
Iran expands mass trial of opposition supporters
Signs of Taliban rift hearten Pakistan, U.S
| International
|
Donkeys, helicopters drafted in for Afghan vote
Hamas asserts power in Gaza after Qaeda clash
| International
|
Qaeda stronger as blasts feed Iraqi Kurd-Arab feud
| International
|
Single exit compounded deaths in Kuwait wedding fire
U.S. plane lands in Taiwan to help mudslide victims
| International
|
Nigerian police raid Islamic sect, detain hundreds
| International
|
Three Iraqis killed in firing practice accident
Heavy rains flood camps for displaced Sri Lankans
Strong quake off Indonesia's Sumatra, no tsunami alert
Rocket attack in Afghan south wounds 2 children
Strong quake strikes Indonesia's Sumatra, 7 hurt
Gunmen fire at bus at US mine in Indonesia
AP NewsAlert
Obama family to tour Grand Canyon on Sunday
Malaysia deputy PM in helicopter emergency landing
The Nation's Weather
US envoy praises Pakistan progress against Taliban
British pilot dies in Malaysia test flight crash
AP source: Wis. Gov. Doyle won't seek re-election
Report: Gunmen fire at bus at US mine in Indonesia
Chinese steelworkers' protest halts plant takeover
India faces drought but economists upbeat
Hong Kong airport chief says traffic drop slowing
Porsche buy launches VW drive for world domination
Sleepless in Beirut, sin city of the Middle East
Actor's US 'detention' prompts outrage in India
Strong earthquake rocks western Indonesia
South Korea picks Bong's 'Mother' as Oscar entry
Sleepless in Beirut, sin city of the Middle East
U.S. Olympic committee delays TV channel plans
| Entertainment
|
Actor's US 'detention' prompts outrage in India
Writing for Arab world no piece of cake: magazine
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights