Western Wildfires Update: Residents Evacuated in Northern California As New Fire Threatens Homes

Associated Press
Published: August 11,2015

For the second time in two weeks, residents of Northern California's rocky hills were forced to evacuate from their homes because of a dangerous wildfire nearby.

This MODIS satellite image shows the general location of the Jerusalem Fire (South) and the Rocky Fire (North) on Monday August 10, 2015.
(NASA)

The new blaze, named the Jerusalem fire, has burned at least 12,000 acres of land several miles away from the community of Lower Lake, Cal Fire said Tuesday morning. The fire began on Sunday and doubled in size overnight, prompting the evacuations.
(MORE: Why You Need a Severe Weather Plan for Outdoor Events)
Authorities couldn't say how many homes were evacuated or how many people were told to be prepared to flee. The fire was burning about 100 miles north of San Francisco.
No homes have been destroyed and no injuries have been reported. Like the larger fire in the area, known as the Rocky fire, the cause of the blaze is under investigation.
Here's a rundown of several large fires currently burning across the West.

Rocky Fire Nearly Surrounded

Firefighters have nearly surrounded the large blaze that started about two weeks ago and burned nearly 70,000 acres in Lake, Yolo and Colusa counties.
That fire destroyed 43 homes, 53 outbuildings and eight other structures, but all evacuations have been lifted. Students in the Middletown Unified School District could start classes next Tuesday, but it might be later depending on where the fire burns.

Washington Wildfire Now 54 Square Miles

A big wildfire burning along the west shore of Lake Chelan has grown to nearly 35,000 acres, but firefighters were keeping it away from the communities of Holden Village and Stehekin.
The wildfire in steep timber remained about 20 percent contained on Tuesday. Nearly 600 people are battling the fire.
Gusty winds on Monday evening increased fire activity, causing it to grow toward Holden Village.
Fire officials say sprinkler systems remain in place soaking structures and vegetation in and around Holden Village.
Crews in Stehekin continued to improve fuel breaks. All businesses in Stehekin remain open.
The southern edge of the fire is 12 miles up from 25-Mile Creek campground.

Evacuations Lifted Near Arizona Border

Authorities lifted evacuation orders for most of the 1,000 homes threatened by a wildfire near the Arizona-California line, one of several blazing across the tinder-dry West.
The fire in Arizona's Mohave Valley area chewed through 10 square miles and remained uncontrolled Monday.
Evacuation orders were lifted for 900 homes after crews made solid efforts in protecting them and conditions became more favorable, said Byron Steward, Mohave County emergency management coordinator.
The wildfire broke out Saturday in the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge. Authorities say it has burned 11 homes but it was not known if they were damaged or destroyed.
The fire's cause is under investigation.

Firefighter Killed Near Lake Tahoe

A U.S. Forest Service firefighter was killed in the Lake Tahoe area after he was struck by a tree while battling a wildfire — the second firefighter killed in a California blaze since the summer wildfire season got underway.
Michael Hallenbeck, 21, of Shingle Springs, California, was hit Saturday during the initial attack on a fire that broke out south of the Echo Summit mountain pass.
"The grief we are feeling at the sudden loss of two of our firefighters ... reminds us of the sacrifices these men and women make every day," said Randy Moore, the agency's Pacific Southwest regional forester.
On July 30, a firefighter was killed by a wildfire in the Modoc National Forest while he scouted the area for ways to fight the blaze. U.S. Forest Service firefighter David Ruhl, of Rapid City, South Dakota, had been on temporary assignment since June in California, where he was an assistant fire management officer for the Big Valley Ranger District.
On Sunday, hundreds of people turned out in Rapid City to pay their respects at a procession and memorial service for Ruhl. Forest Service Associate Chief Mary Wagner attended, saying Ruhl's death was "felt by every member of the Forest Service."

Motor-Home Blaze Sparks Wildfire

A motor-home fire-turned-wildfire in rural Riverside County, California, has surged to about 500 acres, forcing evacuations and leaving one person with a burn injury and three firefighters with minor injuries.
The blaze off State Route 74 near Anza started as a motor home blaze that spread to vegetation on Monday afternoon.
State fire officials say one person from the motor home had serious burns, but only to about 3 percent of their body. Three firefighters were taken to hospitals with minor injuries suffered while taking on the blaze. 
Residents of five streets in the area have been told to evacuate, but it's not clear how many homes or people are affected.
The fire is about halfway between Temecula and Palm Desert. It's 10 percent contained.