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Firefighters race against heat
07/07/2008 21:08 - (SA)
Los Angeles - California firefighters were racing to make inroads against wildfires raging across the state on Monday before the arrival of a forecast record heatwave later this week, officials said.
More than 19 000 firefighters are battling some 330 active fires across California. Nearly 1 800 blazes have erupted since June 20, scorching around 597 000 acres according to the latest figures.
The frontlines of the battle are two separate out-of-control wildfires threatening thousands of homes which are burning in the Los Padres National Forest near the coastal town of Santa Barbara and the tourist haven of Big Sur.
Cooler temperatures and light winds allowed firefighters tackling the flames to make significant inroads, a fire spokesperson said, with crews successfully strengthening containment lines during the lull.
The fire near Santa Barbara, 165 kilometres north of Los Angeles, has scorched 9 577 acres since breaking out on July 1 and is now 35% contained, Los Padres Fire information officer John Ahlman told AFP.
However Ahlman warned that firefighters were now scrambling to make more progress before weather conditions turned.
Fires spread rapidly
A heatwave is expected to arrive in the region on Wednesday, bringing temperatures of around 32-37 Celsius.
"It's been a pretty good night but we are still ramping up our operation and bringing in more crews," Ahlman said. "We want to get a whole lot more done before it starts heating up again.
"It's like a farmer trying to mow the hay when the sun is shining - you try and get as much done while you can."
Meanwhile the fire near Big Sur, which has so far ripped through more than 77 000 acres, was 18% contained.
California is frequently hit by scorching wildfires due to its dry climate, Santa Ana winds and recent housing booms which have seen housing spread rapidly into rural and densely forested areas.
In October, devastating wildfires were among the worst in California history, leaving eight people dead, destroying 2 000 homes, displacing 640 000 people and causing $1bn in damage.
- AFP
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