Thousands of acres charred across the US as new wildfires erupt, forcing evacuations and threatening homes
Wildfires have scorched hundreds of thousands of acres across the Plains after days of severe storms sparked flames across several drought-stricken states. Meanwhile, a fire outside Los Angeles has triggered thousands of evacuations, as California's wildfire season intensifies.
Wildfires have scorched hundreds of thousands of acres across the Plains after days of severe storms sparked flames across several drought-stricken states.
Meanwhile, fast-moving wildfires are erupting across some of California’s most populated areas, forcing thousands to flee as the Golden State’s fire season heats up.
The Sandy Fire erupted in Southern California's Simi Valley just after 10 a.m. local time Monday, just outside of Los Angeles. The fires have scorched over 1,300 acres and more than 10,000 homes have been evacuated, according to the governor's office.
Additional evacuation warnings are in place across parts of Ventura County. Local elementary schools were evacuated as the flames quickly spread Monday, when strong winds and low humidity helped fuel the wildfire's rapid growth.
According to CAL FIRE, helicopter water drops were able to limit growth overnight into Tuesday.
As of 4:38 p.m. PST on Tuesday, the wildfire is 5% contained, and the cause is still under investigation.
A wildfire that ignited in Riverside County on Tuesday was reported around 11:30 a.m. PST, and rapidly grew to more than 900 acres, triggering evacuation orders for nearby residents.
The blaze, dubbed the Bain Fire, is burning near Jurupa Valley and has prompted numerous evacuation orders and warnings for residents in one of the most densely populated counties in the United States.
FOX 11 Los Angeles reported four civilians were reported injured by fire officials.
According to CalFire, as of 3:47 p.m. PST, the wildfire is 0% contained, and its cause remains under investigation.
As numerous wildfires continue to burn across parts of California, a coalition of firefighting agencies with a total of roughly 100 personnel is battling the blaze both on the ground and from the air.
On the other side of Riverside County, the Verona Fire also ignited Tuesday, scorching 200 acres near Juniper Springs and prompting evacuation orders and warnings for nearby communities.
As of 3:27 p.m. PST, the wildfire remained 0% contained, and the cause is still under investigation.
Across the Santa Barbara Channel, a fire has now consumed more than 16,900 acres on Santa Rosa Island, part of the Channel Islands National Park off the California coast.
The blaze was first spotted by aircraft last Friday, and as of Tuesday at 2 p.m. PST, it is 0% contained.
The Coast Guard said they airlifted a 67-year-old sailor who was stranded Friday, after his sailboat crashed against the rocks.
SAILOR RESCUED IN THE KNICK OF TIME AS MASSIVE, RECORD-BREAKING WILDFIRE ENGULFS CALIFORNIA ISLAND
Images released by officials showed the mariner near large "SOS" letters carved into the scorched ground to attract attention from rescuers overhead.
The Santa Barbara Fire Department said the fire also forced the evacuation of 11 National Park Service employees.
According to the National Parks Service, the fire is human-caused, but the exact circumstances are still under investigation. Two unoccupied historic buildings have been destroyed, but crews have been able to set up fire defense for several other historic sites on the island.
Fire officials said they expect weaker winds to help fire suppression efforts into the weekend.
Severe storms last Thursday sparked several wildfires across southwestern Kansas that have now burned more than 100,000 acres, according to the state's forest service.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly declared a local State of Emergency last week and activated four National Guard helicopter units in response.
OVER 80 MILLION TO FACE 90-DEGREE HEAT AS POTENTIALLY RECORD-BREAKING MAY HEAT WAVE IMPACTS THE EAST
Officials said lightning strikes ignited dry vegetation, while winds simultaneously fueled several fires. The Meade Lake Complex has burned more than 92,000 acres and the Herman Range Complex is more than 23,000 acres.
As of Tuesday, the Meade Lake Complex fire was 70% contained and the Herman Range Complex fire was 30% contained, according t
More than 200 firefighters have been assigned to help tackle both major blazes.
Southwest Kansas is currently in Extreme Drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
A wildfire erupted just northeast of Bushland, Texas, Sunday afternoon, prompting mandatory evacuations around the Bishop Estates area, according to the Amarillo Office of Emergency Management.
EVACUATIONS UNDERWAY AS LIGHTNING SPARKS MASSIVE GRASSFIRE AND BURNS THOUSANDS OF ACRES IN TEXAS
The Stinky Fire has burned more than 2,500 acres and is 40% contained as of Tuesday. Officials from Potter County Fire-Rescue said several buildings were destroyed Monday. Air tankers are being used to help attack the fire.
The Texas Panhandle is also experiencing Extreme Drought.
An inter-agency team has taken command of the Sharpe Fire, which is burning across the Colorado-Oklahoma border.
The fire has burned more than 28,000 acres across Baca County, Colorado, and Cimarron County, Oklahoma, according to officials, and is 80% contained as of Tuesday.
MANDATORY EVACUATIONS ISSUED IN COLORADO AMID RAPIDLY SPREADING WILDFIRE
Baca County Emergency Management said that it crossed over U.S. Highway 287 and some people in and around the town of Campo, Colorado, were evacuated Sunday.
The U.S. Forest Service said the wildfires were initially sparked by lightning. Officials said the fire ignited in Oklahoma before crossing the border north over the weekend.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt activated additional resources to help quell the flames and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis verbally declared a Disaster Emergency Sunday.
Much of this region is experiencing drought after a notable lack of snow this winter.
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