Wildfires

Wildfires across the West

Southern California

The fire 45 miles east of San Diego which killed two people erupted near the town of Potrero on June 19 and forced extensive evacuations as it spread rapidly over several days, destroying five homes and 11 outbuildings while growing to nearly 12 square miles. It’s 97 percent contained. Mop-up and investigation of the cause continued.

In the southern Sierra Nevada, a fire that also killed two people and destroyed communities as it spread over nearly 73 square miles near Lake Isabella was 80 percent contained. A final tally counted 285 homes destroyed along with an AT&T microwave cell hub. Twelve residences were damaged. Two shelters remained open but all evacuations have been lifted. The cause of the fire, which erupted June 23, remained under investigation.

Northern California

A wildfire that charged through inaccessible terrain and climbed out of a steep canyon along the middle fork of the American River has now charred about two square miles.

At least 400 homes about 50 miles northeast of Sacramento have been evacuated. The fire is threatening some than 2,600 homes, businesses and other structures. No damage to structures or injuries had been reported as of Thursday. The fire was 12 percent contained.

Idaho

A wildfire burning through grass and sagebrush in the Boise foothills has destroyed a house and an outbuilding, but no injuries have been reported. Officials say the fire started around midnight Wednesday and has consumed more than 2 square miles. Several thousand homes were threatened, and voluntary evacuations were in place, but few residents used a shelter. Aircraft started dropping retardant early Thursday and the active part of the blaze has been stopped. About 140 firefighters are battling the blaze.

Montana

A wildfire burning on national forest land in southwestern Montana grew to 1.5 square miles on Thursday, mostly due to a burnout Wednesday afternoon that was intended to prevent the fire from spreading toward the community of Darby. Residents in 200 homes remained on notice to prepare for possible evacuation.

The lightning-caused fire began at about noon on June 24 and is burning in steep, dangerous terrain about 10 miles south of Hamilton. Thunderstorms with gusty winds were forecast for Thursday afternoon and evening.

Fire information officer Kimberly Nelson says the northwestern part of the fire is burning into a wilderness area, where it is unsafe to put firefighters on the ground. Nelson says there are 136 firefighters working the fire and six aircraft are available to dump water and retardant.