Deadly California Wildfires Scorch Homes, Tens of Thousands of Acres

Wildfires in California exploded over the weekend claiming at least one life, burning some 50,000 acres, forcing more than 20,000 residents to flee their homes and reducing about two dozen homes to ash. The worst fire is the Sand Fire near Santa Clarita in Los Angeles County, followed by the Soberanes Fire in Monterey County which has closed iconic Highway 1 in the Big Sur Area.

But other fires burn from the Oregon border to the north and the Mexican border to the south, stretching firefighting resources thin. Agencies from the federal to the local level are on the fire lines and providing air support.

One fatality has been reported so far, in the Sand Fire. Officials confirmed the death was fire-related. The body was found in a vehicle. Nearly 3,000 firefighters continue fighting the monster fire which has forced the evacuation of 10,000 homes, around 20,000 residents, and threatens 200 commercial buildings in addition to homes. That fire has destroyed 33,000 acres since Friday.

In Monterey County, the Soberanes Fire also ignited Friday and quickly turned into an out-of-control conflagration that has burned six homes, two outbuildings, nearly 15,000 acres and forced the evacuation of homes. Some 1,650 homes remain threatened with thousands of residents evacuated. The fire is in rugged terrain that even fire bosses have called “very challenging.” The area has been popular with notable artists, writers, sports figures and other celebrities who’ve lived there or maintained second homes, including Clint Eastwood, Doris Day, Ansel Adams, Jack London and Beverly Cleary.

In addition to rugged terrain, firefighters are battling scorching temperatures, erratic winds and smoky conditions. The smoke has prompted health warnings in some communities for residents who suffer from breathing issues.

Related Coverage:

• Sand Fire Threatens Thousands of Homes: 'These are Not Normal Times,' Warn Authorities
  
• Monterey County Fire Grows, Now Threatens 1,650 Structures
  
• East Bay Firefighters Sent to Fight Soberanes Fire in Monterey County
  
• Solano County Firefighters Heading To Monterey Blaze
  

Patch editors Feroze Dhanoa and Paige Austin contributed to this article; Image courtesy of LACoFireAirOps ‏@LACoFireAirOps on Twitter