Hundreds forced to flee as thousands of wildfires sweep across northern California

13 April 2012

Hundreds of people have been forced to flee their homes as thousands of wildfires continue to sweep across large parts of northern California.

Flames raged in the hills above the picturesque town of Big Sur and ash fell from orange skies as evacuees in packed cars streamed north along Highway 1, the only major road out.

Sheriff's deputies told residents they needed to leave the area by late afternoon.

The blaze near the town is one of more than 1,100 wildfires, mostly ignited by lightning, that have scorched 680 square miles and destroyed 60 homes and buildings across northern and central California since June 20.

Fire alert: A DC-10 jet converted to a firefighting aircraft, drops Phos-Check fire retardant in northern California

Fire alert: A DC-10 jet converted to a firefighting aircraft, drops Phos-Check fire retardant in northern California

Danger: Smoke from fires approaching Big Sur

Danger: Smoke from fires approaching Big Sur

New mandatory evacuation notices were issued Wednesday for a 16-mile stretch along Highway 1.

Authorities have closed a total of 25 miles of the scenic roadway, blocking access to popular resorts, restaurants, shops and art galleries that attract tourists from around the world.

The blaze had destroyed 16 homes and charred about 81 square miles of forest since it was started by lightning on June 21 in the Los Padres National Forest. It was only about 3 per cent contained.

The new evacuation notice means that all of the roughly 850 residents who live along the Big Sur coast from Andrew Molera State Park to Limekiln State Park have been ordered to leave, Marshall said.

Helicopters hauling large containers of water droned loudly overhead as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, R. David Paulison, visited Big Sur on Wednesday.

Burning issue: A forest smolders with the Piute fire burning out of control as more than 1,400 wildfires swept across northern California

Burning issue: A forest smolders with the Piute fire burning out of control as more than 1,400 wildfires swept across northern California

Emergency effort: Helicopter drops water on fire just east of Hwy 1 and behind Big Sur

Emergency effort: Helicopter drops water on fire just east of Hwy 1 and behind Big Sur

"This is a very dangerous fire right now because of the wind and because of how dry things are and how early in the year it is," Paulison said in an interview.

"If people evacuate like they're told to, we shouldn't lose any lives. ... My only concern is that people don't take it seriously enough."

Drought, heat and lightning storms have contributed to the wildfires across the state in the past two weeks.

The blazes have destroyed 60 homes and other buildings while threatening thousands more, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Federal fire managers predict an increase in severe wildfire activity in northern California through October due to the unusually hot, dry weather and scant rain.
In Southern California, a fire in the Los Padres forest north of Santa Barbara prompted mandatory evacuations of about 45 people in the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains.

Burned out: A firefighter walks around his fire truck in Big Sur

Burned out: A firefighter walks around his fire truck in Big Sur



Officials said that fire had burned nearly 200 acres of heavy brush Wednesday and about 200 homes were threatened.

Rough terrain in the Santa Ynez area hampered firefighters, said Santa Barbara County spokesman William Boyer. "It's mostly an aerial battle," he said.

Elsewhere, a wildfire threatened 15 homes and the Okanogan tribal bingo casino near Okanogan, Washington, and some residents had been evacuated, said Ron Bowen of the state fire marshal's office.

The blaze had covered 1,500 acres and the state sent people and equipment to help Bureau of Indian Affairs firefighters, officials said.

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