LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – A wildfire that spread into a small Northern California town over the weekend has destroyed more than 175 homes and businesses, authorities said yesterday, as crews fought to save more dwellings from the flames.
The Clayton fire, named for the creek near where it broke out, was driven by fierce winds into the foothill community of Lower Lake, 80 miles (130 km) north of San Francisco, forcing hundreds of residents to flee. That fire broke out on Saturday evening.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said yesterday afternoon that more than 175 structures had been destroyed by the fire and that 1,500 others were threatened. There were no reports of casualties. Lake County sheriff’s deputies were investigating burned-out structures. The nearby community of Clear Lake was also evacuated.
As winds abated on Sunday evening, crews made progress cutting containment lines around the flames and putting out hot spots, said Daniel Berlant of the California forestry department. “As temperatures heat back up again today, it’s likely fire conditions will increase.”
“We’ve got over 1,600 firefighters ready to go to battle again when that happens.”
The cause of the Clayton fire, which had blackened about 4,000 acres (1,600 hectares) by late Monday afternoon, was under investigation. Fire managers said the blaze grew during the day, but remained about 5 percent contained.
The conflagration is one of 24 major wildfires burning across the drought-parched U.S. West, which all together have charred nearly 300,000 acres (120,000 hectares).
