(Updated at 08:26) – Fire crews battling two major wildfires in Northern California are closing in on 50 percent containment. The Valley Fire in Lake County has burned over 73,000 acres and destroyed nearly 600 homes. As of Thursday morning, the blaze is 35 percent contained. Meanwhile, the Butte Fire in Amador and Calaveras counties is 49 percent contained and most mandatory evacuations have been lifted. The blaze has burned nearly 71,000 acres. There have been three confirmed fatalities and more than 20,000 residents have been displaced by both fires.
(Posted September 16 at 10:17) NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Fire crews battling two major wildfires in Northern California are closing in on 50 percent containment. The Valley Fire in Lake County grew overnight to 70,000 acres and has destroyed nearly 600 homes. As of Wednesday morning, the blaze is 30 percent contained and more than 7,500 structures are still threatened. Meanwhile, the Butte Fire in Amador and Calaveras counties has burned nearly 72,000 acres. The blaze is now 45 percent contained. Over 200 homes have been destroyed and 6,000 more have been evacuated. More than 20,000 residents have been displaced by both fires and many are still missing. Fire officials hope today’s forecast of cooler temperatures and a chance of rain will help firefighting efforts. (S.G.)
