San Francisco: In its latest update, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said that the August Complex Fire, which started out as 37 different fires in Mendocino National Forest and still raging, has grown to 1,024,092 acres,with 67 per cent containment as of Saturday morning.
The blaze is currently raging across the counties of burning in Mendocino, Humboldt, Trinity, Tehama, Glenn, Lake and Colusa. The August Complex wildfire began when thunderstorms pounded the area between August 18-20.
Thirty-seven different fires were triggered by lightning, While many were contained, several others went on to merge and become one massive blaze.
On a positive note, Cal Fire added that several of the fires were over 95 per cent contained and no growth is expected, yet full containment likely wouldn’t be reached until rainfall occurs.
On Friday, firefighters also responded to 19 new wildfires, quickly bringing full containment to all. Meanwhile, the Glass Fire in Napa and Sonoma counties burned 67,484 acres as of Saturday morning, with 82 per cent containment. The Creek Fire in Fresno and Madera counties burned 333,880 acres as of Saturday morning, with 49 per cent containment.
The 56,338-acre Zogg Fire in Shasta County was 95 per cent contained as of Saturday morning, according to Cal Fire. Since the beginning of the year, there have been over 8,400 wildfires that have burned well over 4 million acres in California. The statewide death toll due to the fire has increased to 31, while more than 9,200 structures have been destroyed, Cal Fire said.
A Fire Weather Warning is currently effect from Southern Modoc County south to Inyo County on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada for gusty winds and low humidity. California historically experiences some of the most devastating wildfires in the months of September and October.
By IANS
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