LOS ANGELES — A wildfire scorching its way through brush and timber from the mountains to the desert northeast of Los Angeles threatened more than 1,000 homes on Tuesday as crews across the West battled dozens of other major blazes. The Bobcat Fire in Southern California was advancing at one...
Desert Homes Threatened by Enormous California Wildfire
JUNIPER HILLS — An enormous wildfire that churned through mountains northeast of Los Angeles and into the Mojave Desert was still threatening homes on Monday, but officials said calmer winds could help crews corral the flames. At 165 square miles, the Bobcat Fire is one of the largest ever in...
Lightning Storm, Easterly Wind: How the Wildfires Got So Bad
SALEM, Ore. — It began as a stunning light show on a mid-August weekend — lightning bolts crackling in the skies over Central and Northern California, touching down in grasslands and vineyards. The National Weather Service warned that the dry lightning striking a parched landscape “could lead to new wildfire.”...
‘We’re Not Losing That School’: Firefighters Save Big Creek Elementary from Creek Fire
Firefighters who were battling Saturday to save the Big Creek Elementary School and other structures in the tiny Sierra community told Big Creek superintendent/principal Toby Wait that fire was coming at them "from four directions." But firefighters were determined to keep Big Creek School from being devoured by the Creek...
California Wildfire Ignited by Device To Reveal Baby’s Gender
LOS ANGELES — A couple’s plan to reveal their baby’s gender went up not in blue or pink smoke but in flames when the device they used sparked a wildfire that burned thousands of acres and forced people to flee from a city east of Los Angeles. The fire prompted...
California Lawmakers Propose Ratepayer Fee Extension for Fighting Wildfires
Facing another catastrophic wildfire season, state lawmakers are proposing last-minute legislation to tap into a utility-bill fee to free up $500 million for training firefighters and other immediate steps. The proposed legislation also sets aside $2.5 billion for future projects related to handling wildfires and adapting to climate change. The...
California Heat Wave Raises Fire Threat, Virus Spread Fears
LOS ANGELES — California faces a heat wave Friday that could bring dangerously high temperatures throughout the state, increased wildfire danger and a higher threat of the spreading of the coronavirus as people flock to lakes, beaches and other recreation areas. High pressure building over Western states will push temperatures...
Fresno County Wildfire Grows to More Than 30 Square Miles
A Fresno County wildfire west of Coalinga grew larger but firefighters also increased containment, authorities said Friday. The Mineral Fire expanded to more than 30 square miles and was 30% contained. Four structures have been destroyed and 60 remained threatened. No injuries were reported. Evacuations encompassed the community of Bingham Springs...
Smoke Hangs in the Air as Valley Fires Trigger Health Warnings
Smoke drifting across the Fresno area from a large pallet fire in Reedley and nearby wildland grass fires is prompting health warnings from local air quality officials. The fire at fruit packaging manufacturer Maxco Supply broke out early Thursday and continued to burn throughout the morning. That led to a...
Highway 101 Open as Crews Contain Central California Fire
AVILA BEACH — All lanes of U.S. 101 were reopened early Tuesday after a fast-moving wildfire on California's central coast closed the major highway and threatened dozens of homes. Authorities lifted evacuations Monday night after crews made progress against the blaze near Avila Beach, an unincorporated San Luis Obispo County...