Crime & Safety
Shared from Redwood City-Woodside, CACalifornia Wildfire Wrap: 2 Killed as 4,500 Fight 6 Large Fires
The largest fire of them all erupted Thursday. An estimated 100 structures have already burned, and 1,500 more are still in danger.
Thousands of firefighters are working around the clock to battle six major wildfires in California. And just as crews are making progress on containing many of them, the newest fire is quickly becoming the largest and most damaging of them all.
The now-deadly Erskine Fire near Lake Isabella in Kern County broke out Thursday afternoon and has already burned nearly 20,000 acres and approximately 100 structures. Firefighters estimate another 1,500 are threatened and confirm that at least two people have been killed.
The Sherpa Fire in Santa Barbara County was first reported on June 15, north of Goleta, Camino and Cielo ridges. That blaze is now considered 93 percent contained after burning an estimated 7,474 acres.
Down in San Diego County, firefighters continue to strengthen and secure containment lines at the Border Fire, which broke out Sunday. That fire was 7,483 acres in size and 45 percent contained Friday afternoon, according to Cal Fire.
The San Gabriel Complex Fire in Los Angeles County, which first broke out Monday, has burned a combined 5,267 acres and was 30 percent contained Friday morning. Hundreds of residents were initially evacuated in that incident but were finally given the all-clear to return home Friday.
The Pony Fire is burning in the northernmost part of the state. That one broke out back on June 7 and is considered 60 percent contained at 2,858 acres as of Friday, according to U.S. Forest Service officials.
An estimated 200 acres of pinyon and brush have burned in the Marina Fire, located in the Yosemite National Park area, in Mono County. That fire was first reported Friday morning, and already "numerous" firefighting resources are being routed to the incident, according to the Forest Service.
"With the weekend approaching CAL FIRE is again urging the public to be extra careful with outdoor activities," Calfire officials said Friday. "Whether it's camping, barbequing, or off-road driving, conditions are ripe for a simple spark to ignite a wildfire. One Less Spark means One Less Wildfire."
Calfire offers fire preparedness safety tips for all California residents:
- Have multiple evacuation routes planned
- Have a family communication plan, including an out-of-state contact
- Have an evacuation kit ready
