Over 6,000 Firefighters Battle Major California Fires

CALIFORNIA – Though we are well into the fall season and cooler temperatures, the wildfire season is far from over.

Cal Fire reports that over 6,000 firefighters are currently battling six large wildfires in California, the two most dangerous being the Camp Fire in Butte County, and the Hill Fire in Ventura County.

These wind-driven fires have destroyed more than 85,000 acres and hundreds of structures, prompting mandatory evacuation orders and causing thousands of residents to flee their homes, many with only a moment’s notice. Entire neighborhoods have reportedly been destroyed in the Paradise area as the Camp Fire grew from 18,000 acres to 70,000 overnight.

Winds are expected to decrease this morning across the Red Flag Warning areas. Temperatures are expected to remain average with no chance of significant rainfall in the next few days. An increase in offshore winds is predicted to arrive in parts of southern California beginning on Sunday, continuing into Monday.

With the extreme fire conditions, Cal Fire warns everyone – “Don’t wait to evacuate! Prepare now and GO! Early. If you see fire approaching, don’t wait to be told to leave.”

To learn more on preparing to evacuate, click here.

Fires of Interest:

Camp Fire, Butte County, Paradise
• 70,000 acres, 5% contained
• Evacuations and road closures in effect
• Cal Fire Incident Management Team 4 (Russell) assigned

Hill Fire, Ventura County, Santa Rosa Valley
• 6,000 acres, 0% contained
• Evacuations and road closures in effect
• Cal Fire Incident Management Team 5 (Bravo) assigned

Nurse Fire, Solano County, Suisun City
• 1,500 acres, 50% contained

Woolsey Fire, Ventura County, South of Simi Valley
• 8,000 acres, 0% contained

Brushy Fire, Mendocino County, West of Covelo
• 35 acres, 50% contained

Rincon Fire, Santa Cruz County, North of Santa Cruz
• 17 acres, 90% contained

For more information on Cal Fire incidents, visit http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents.

For more information on fires burning on the National Forest, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov.