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US wildfire forces evacuation
17/07/2007 10:27 - (SA)
Los Olivos - A stubborn wildfire crept closer to homes and ranches in Santa Barbara's wine country, forcing about 200 residents to leave.
Officials issued the evacuation order on Monday evening when the 100km² blaze in the Los Padres National Forest came within about 3km of some homes, said Santa Barbara County Fire Captain Eli Iskow.
A voluntary evacuation order also was issued for another 1 000 residents living in and around Los Olivos in the valley, a popular tourist spot northwest of Santa Barbara known for its wineries.
More than 2 000 firefighters were battling the 10 000ha blaze in steep terrain covered with chapparl and oak trees in the San Rafael Wilderness. The wilderness and surrounding areas remained closed to visitors.
Fanned by gusty winds
To the north, near the Oregon border, crews used bulldozers and hand tools to clear a break in thick forest near the small town of Happy Camp. Residents were told to prepare for evacuations as the lightning-ignited blaze bore down on more than 300 homes.
That fire covered more than 1 900ha - about 18km² - in the Klamath National Forest, officials said. More than 1 100 firefighters were working to contain the fire, which was about 15% surrounded.
In Nevada, a fast-moving wildfire fanned by gusty winds briefly threatened hundreds of upscale homes on Monday and forced many residents to evacuate, officials said.
The blaze burned at least 48ha of brush and some timber, said Reno Fire Department spokesperson Steve Frady.
The fire was burning away from homes by sundown, and evacuation orders were lifted by 19:00 except for residents closest to the fire line.
Thunderstorms could bring some rain
In Washington state, a blaze sparked by lightning grew to more than 30km² and threatened about 30 homes. Deputies were contacting homeowners and urging some of them to leave.
About 200 firefighters backed by air tankers and helicopters were battling the blaze, which was about 10% contained. More fire crews were expected to help.
In Utah, the state's largest wildfire ever was fully contained on Monday after scorching 1 470km² despite isolated flare-ups within the containment zone. Utah's five other major wildfires were either fully contained or close to it on Monday, officials said.
Higher winds and thunderstorms were also expected to boil up throughout much of Utah early this week. The thunderstorms could bring some rain or just dry lightning, which could spark new fires.
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