Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Wildfires have destroyed more than 60,000 acres across three states and are spreading rapidly

Firefighters across three states are battling wildfires that have destroyed more than 60,000 acres in the US West. In the rugged hills near California's Lake Hughes in Los Angeles County, the Lake Fire has grown to 10,000 acres and is 0% contained as of Wednesday evening. The fire was first reported at 3:40 p.m. and is spreading at a very rapid rate, according to fire officials. Several structures are threatened and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has set up an evacuation center at a local high school. More than 400 firefighters have been assigned to control the blaze. "This robust number of resources will be placed strategically to protect homes that may come under fire threat," the Los Angeles County Fire Department said. Cloud cover along with higher humidity levels is expected for Thursday, which could provide a window to help contain the fire, CNN meteorologist Michael Guy said. Friday's forecast is hotter and drier, Guy said, posing more of a risk. Those conditions will likely last well into next week. In neighboring Oregon, the Mosier Creek Fire has prompted evacuations in Wasco County. Several large air tankers are on the way to help control the blaze, which has consumed at least 50 acres Wednesday, according to the Oregon Department of Forestry's Central Oregon District. The heat is just building there and will last into the beginning of next week, Guy said, along with dry conditions. And in Colorado, the Grizzly Creek Fire has destroyed more than 3,200 acres and is 0% contained, according to the US Forest Service. The fire crossed the Colorado River and Interstate 70 on Wednesday, prompting the interstate to shut down east of Glenwood Springs. "This fire is in a really tough spot, and it's really tough to fight," White River National Forest supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams said during a community briefing Wednesday. There is no estimate yet of when the interstate could be fully reopened...MORE
 

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Here come the arsonists. Count on the MSM to detail their ativities.....NO!