SAN FRANCISCO, July 30 (UPI) — A fast-moving brush fire in northern California exploded to more than 5,000 acres early Thursday, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of homes.
The so-called Rocky Fire erupted Wednesday afternoon in difficult-to-access terrain covered with thick brush. The blaze destroy several outbuildings and 500 people were evacuated from the area.
The fire, near Lower Lake, Calif., some 80 miles north of San Francisco, is one of at least 14 wildfires threatening homes in drought-laden California. Four firefighters were injured while battling one of the blazes.
“With the extremely challenging weather conditions, firefighters were able to contain the dozens of wildfires that sparked,” officials said in a written statement.. “Hundreds of residents have been evacuated in wildfires from Shasta to Lake to Tuolumne counties.”
In Napa Valley, firefighters continue to battle the Wragg Fire, near Lake Berryessa, the largest lake in Napa County. Firefighters reported the 7,500-acre fire was 80 percent contained Thursday. The fire possibly started as a result of a car crash.
The Lowell Fire, which began July 25, has already consumed about 2,300 acres, but is 60 percent contained. Four firefighters were injured while battling the fire. Three have been released from the hospital, but one is in serious condition from burns.
The #RockyFire east of Lower Lake in Lake County continues to grow. Now at 3,000 acres. pic.twitter.com/Q6aK1Fj22x— CAL FIRE PIO Berlant (@CALFIRE_PIO) July 30, 2015
“After suffering burns on the Lowell Fire in Nevada County yesterday, three of the four injured firefighters have been released from the hospital and are expected to make a full recovery,” officials said earlier this week. “All three are ready to return to the firefight. The fourth Forest Service firefighters remains in the hospital with serious burn injuries.”
In addition to the California blazes, a 6,000-acre fire in Washington state was inching closer to Walla Walla, a city of about 32,000. It is 80 percent contained. One structure was destroyed in the blaze
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