As Wildfires Rage, Gov. Brown Declares Emergency

By Bea Karnes:

Governor Jerry Brown issued an emergency proclamation Saturday as wildfires raged in northern California, Mendocino County and the central Sierra near Yosemite National Park. A small number of homes have been lost. No injuries have been reported.

The most serious wildfire started in Oregon and crossed into California. The lightning-sparked blaze has burned dozens of square miles of timber. More than 1,000 firefighters are battling that fire, just 20 percent contained as of Sunday.

The governor’s proclamation notes that “critical infrastructure” has been damaged in addition to charred homes and forests. It also clears the way for federal resources to be used in battling the fires.

A red flag warning has been issued for some of the wildfire area because of thunderstorms in the forecast.

A CalFire burn ban remains in effect.