Wildfires expand in Oregon and California, threatening homes and prompting evacuations
Share this @internewscast.com

(AP) – Wildfires have expanded in areas of California’s wine country and Central Oregon overnight, leading to numerous evacuations. Firefighters were actively working on Sunday to contain these fires in the midst of hot and dry conditions.

The Pickett Fire located in Napa County expanded to over 10 square miles (26 square kilometers) and was reported to be 11% controlled by early Sunday, per the California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection.

Evacuations were ordered for approximately 190 individuals, with evacuation warnings issued for around 360 more, as the fire posed a threat to about 500 buildings near Aetna Springs and Pope Valley, according to Jason Clay, a spokesperson for Calfire Sonoma Lake-Napa Unit.

Over 1,230 firefighters, along with support from 10 helicopters, were engaged in combating the blaze, which started on Thursday following a period of intense heat. The origin of the fire is still being investigated.

Residents across the Western United States have been enduring a heatwave that has led to hospital admissions for some, with dangerously high temperatures expected over the weekend in Washington, Oregon, Southern California, Nevada, and Arizona.

Clay noted that while weather conditions have somewhat eased since the fire began, Sunday’s temperature was expected to reach 94 degrees (34 Celsius). However, humidity was predicted to decrease, and wind activity was likely to increase later in the afternoon.

“That’s been a driving factor in the afternoons since we’ve seen the fire activity pick up for the last three days,” Clay said, adding that “support from all up and down California has been critical to our efforts.”

The fire began in the same area as the much larger Glass Fire in 2020, which crossed into Sonoma County and eventually burned about 105 square miles (272 square kilometers) and more than 1,500 structures.

That fire was driven by wind, while the current fire is fueled by dry vegetation on steep slopes — some of it dead and downed trees left over from the Glass Fire and some of it grass and brush that grew back and then dried out again, said Clay.

In Oregon, the Flat Fire in Deschutes and Jefferson counties had grown to almost 34 square miles (88 square kilometers), with no containment, and threatened nearly 4,000 homes, according to the state Fire Marshal’s Office. About 10,000 people were under some sort of evacuation notice.

The fire began Thursday night and grew quickly amid hot, gusty conditions. Fire officials were keeping an eye on isolated thunderstorms in Southern Oregon that could drift north on Sunday, spokesman Chris Schimmer said in a video posted to Facebook.

Although it’s difficult to directly tie a single fire or weather event directly to climate change, scientists say human-caused warming from burning fossil fuels like coal and gas is causing more intense heat waves and droughts, which in turn set the stage for more destructive wildfires.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Colorado climber plunges 30 feet after gear 'failed' scaling mountainside, rescuers say

Colorado Climber Survives 30-Foot Fall After Equipment Malfunction on Mountain Adventure

A climber found himself in a life-threatening situation after falling 30 feet…
'Marco Rubio finding out' meme breaks the internet again — thanks to Kristi Noem's cross-dressing, bust-loving husband

Kristi Noem’s Husband Sparks Viral Sensation with ‘Marco Rubio Finding Out’ Meme

The internet is abuzz once again with the resurgence of a popular…
Lawsuit filed as DeSantis signs elections bill requiring Florida voters provide proof of citizenship

Legal Challenge Arises Following DeSantis’ Approval of Elections Bill Mandating Citizenship Proof for Florida Voters

The new legislation mandates that individuals provide citizenship documentation and a photo…
Netanyahu casts Iran war as modern Exodus in Passover address

Netanyahu Compares Iran Conflict to a Modern-Day Exodus in Passover Speech

In a powerful address on Passover eve, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu…
Copper thieves kill internet and street lights in Van Nuys

Van Nuys Plunged into Darkness: Copper Theft Disrupts Internet and Street Lighting Services

Relentless copper thieves continue to disrupt the lives of Los Angeles residents.…
Passenger dies mid-flight when Korean Air crew forgets to attach mask to oxygen tank: lawsuit

Tragic Mid-Flight Incident: Lawsuit Alleges Korean Air Negligence in Oxygen Mask Attachment Leads to Passenger’s Death

A tragic incident unfolded aboard a long-haul flight when a Department of…
ICE agents in San Diego capture machete-swinging MS-13 assassin from El Salvador known as "the witch"

San Diego ICE Agents Apprehend Notorious MS-13 Assassin “The Witch” from El Salvador

Federal immigration officers in San Diego have apprehended a notorious MS-13 enforcer,…
University of Illinois Chicago accused of failing to protect Jewish students from antisemitism: 'Surrounded and mobbed'

University of Illinois Chicago Faces Backlash Over Alleged Anti-Semitism: Jewish Students Demand Protection

A coalition of organizations focusing on mental health has sent a letter…
Florida woman accused of squatting in home near The Villages, then selling the owner's appliances

Florida Woman Allegedly Squats in Home Near The Villages, Sells Off Owner’s Appliances

Law enforcement officials apprehended a woman at a residence near The Villages…
Brunswick police officer placed on administrative leave after being arrested in domestic dispute

Teens Arrested for Brunswick Shootings: Facing Aggravated Assault and Firearm Charges

The Brunswick Police Department has identified at least three teenagers and an…
Fresno family awarded $57M after drunk driver killed doctoral student

Fresno Family Secures $57 Million Settlement Following Tragic Loss of Doctoral Student to Drunk Driving Incident

A heart-wrenching chapter has come to a close for the family of…
Republic Airways pilots mistakenly contact JFK air traffic control tower while landing at LaGuardia Airport

Republic Airways Pilots Erroneously Reach Out to JFK Control Tower During LaGuardia Landing

In an unusual incident earlier this month, pilots of a Republic Airways…