California wildfire triggers evacuations

SOLVANG, California－A major Southern California highway remained closed on Wednesday, and evacuation orders were in place from a growing blaze driven by intense winds that raised the risk of wildfires in much of the state.

More than 200 firefighters battled the Alisal Fire, which covered 54 square kilometers along coastal Santa Barbara County and was only 5 percent contained, officials said.

The Alisal Fire started on Monday afternoon near the Alisal Reservoir, north of the US Highway 101 along coastal Santa Barbara County, said InciWeb, an interstate incident information system.

Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has declared a state of emergency for the Alisal Fire.

Officials said more than 600 firefighting personnel were working to contain the blaze threatening at least 100 structures, including ranches, farms, homes, state campgrounds and railway services.

Highway closed

Highway 101 was forced to close indefinitely in both directions. Officials said there is no estimated time for reopening and guided vehicles to alternate routes. The railway parallel to Highway 101 was also closed, impacting Amtrak train travel in both directions.

Statewide, wildfires have burned more than 10,065 square km and destroyed or damaged more than 3,600 structures so far this year in California, according to updated from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Powerful gusts also toppled trees and whipped up blinding dust clouds.

Windy weather was expected to subside in northern and central California. But red flag warnings for extreme fire danger were expected to return on Thursday.

In anticipation of more wind, the Pacific Gas& Electric utility shut off power on Monday to about 24,000 customers in targeted areas of 23 counties to prevent fires from being started if gusts damaged electrical equipment.

Power was restored on Tuesday. But PG&E said it may need to cut power to about 29,000 customers across 19 counties on Thursday because of the renewed threat from dry, gusty weather.

Windy weather is a nightmare for firefighters in a state where heat waves and historic drought tied to climate change have left forests and brush tinder-dry.

Agencies - Xinhua