Wildfires

Wildfires USA

California

A wildfire in mountains west of Palm Springs burned seven homes and led to the evacuation of dozens more. Several vehicles were also burned.

The wildfire started Monday between Palm Springs and Hemet, near the rural Riverside County community of Mountain Centre, and a day later had surged to about 14 square miles.

More than 2,200 firefighters and 25 aircraft had the blaze 10 percent contained.

It was mostly moving east toward the desert and away from small communities of homes, summer cabins and ranches in the San Jacinto mountains. But a shift in the wind could easily sweep it back toward homes.

Washington State

Fire crews are working to contain a wildfires near Lyle and Okanogan, Washington.

The B & O Fire, which is being pushed by gusty winds in north-central Washington., has burned across more than 3 square miles, or about 2,000 acres, between Okanogan and Malott, south of Omak.

The fire has closed some roads, including a 2-mile stretch of Highway 20 and B&O Road to the Methow Valley.

An official with the Okanogan County Emergency Management department says nearly 5,000 customers are without power because of burnt power lines. It is expected residents and business owners could be without power for more than 24 hours.

The Washington state Department of Natural Resources says two helicopters are dropping water on the fire, along with a single-engine air tanker. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Meanwhile Washington DNR says that one home was lost and a crew of 70 are working to contain an approximately 100 acre fire. The fire is currently 60 percent contained and was likely started by humans.