The Growing California Wildfire
The fire north of Los Angeles has already burned 80 homes, and several communities were being evacuated.
A massive wildfire north of Los Angeles has burned 8,000 acres, destroyed 80 homes, and by Friday was headed toward several more communities.
The fire, near Lake Isabella in Kern County, has forced thousands of people to evacuate. Over Thursday night, it had spread 11 miles in 13 hours. About 300 firefighters were working to contain it.
Here are a few photos of the fire, which has been named the Erskine Fire:
'Extremely dangerous, volatile' #ErskineFire in Kern County-80 homes burned, 1500 threatened https://t.co/fe2F7Z3M5c pic.twitter.com/gCmlUuAFOq
— Ed Joyce (@EdJoyce) June 24, 2016
#ErskineFire photos by Michael Cuffe, used with permission. UPDATES: https://t.co/Yy9WD034h0 pic.twitter.com/YBzgzrwfRa
— KBAK/KBFX TV (@bakersfieldnow) June 24, 2016
FIRE SEASON 2016#ErskineFire June 3, 2016 Lake Elsabella, California@chief_miller #chief… https://t.co/t77HSj2WeU pic.twitter.com/x9YASzutFS
— Dave Mills (@DaveMillsPhoto) June 24, 2016
Five years of drought combined with a burst of spring rain that quickened grass growth has fueled the fire. Winds have also added to the blaze’s explosive growth. Several buildings, including a school, were set up as evacuation centers. By Friday afternoon, there were no injuries; firefighters were being treated for smoke inhalation.