Thousands of US firefighters were helped by improving weather over the weekend to battle wildfires in the western United States, but more evacuations were needed.
The so-called Park Fire – the largest wildfire in California this year – was one of more than 100 fires that broke out across the US on Sundayaccording to US authorities.
Some were caused by the weather, with climate change increasing the frequency of lightning strikes as the Western US faces scorching heat and extremely dry conditions.
The Park Fire burned an area larger than the city of Los Angeles, during the day on Monday, darkening the sky with smoke and involving thousands of firefighters.
The fire has spread across more than 570 square miles (1,455 square kilometers) inland across Northern California.
Winds and temperatures were expected to increase slightly amid the drop in humidity, authorities said in an update this morning.
This fire started on Wednesday when authorities say a man pushed a burning car into a ravine in Chico and then fled.
A man accused of starting the fire was arrested on Thursday and is expected to appear in court this week.
Firefighters increased containment on Saturday, aided by cooler temperatures and more humidityauthorities said.
While cooler-than-average temperatures are expected through the middle of this week, that doesn’t mean existing fires will go away, said Marc Chenard, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center in College Park, Maryland.
The National Weather Service issued maximum risk warnings for large areas of Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming, as well as parts of California, meaning dry fuels and stronger winds were increasing fire danger.
Fires were burning in eastern Oregon and eastern Idaho, where authorities were assessing damage from a group of fires called the Gwen Fire, estimated to be 45 square miles (111 square kilometers), on Sunday.
In California, several communities were placed under evacuation warnings on Sunday.
However, the southernmost front of the fire appeared to be under control, until the flames spread to windier areas, forcing new evacuations.
The focus on saving lives and threatened property has shifted to tackling the fire head-on, Park Fire headquarters spokesman Jay Tracy said Sunday.
Almost 4,000 firefighters are fighting the fire, assisted by several helicopters and air tankers.
The reinforcements are expected to provide much-needed respite for local firefighters, some of whom have been working nonstop since Wednesday.
In Southern California, cAbout 2,000 people have been ordered to evacuate because of a wildfire that has swept through the Sequoia National Forest.
The wind-driven fire was fueled by dry, dead plants and moved quickly, consuming more than 155 square kilometers in four days.
No deaths have been reported in the fires, but authorities continue to urge people to follow evacuation signs.
Source: rr.sapo.pt
