This jet powered DC-10 air tanker #910 makes a long drop of fire retardant on the Shirley Fire, Saturday, June 14, 2014 in the Alta Sierra area where the wildfire has consumed more than 800 acres.
Lake Isabella, California:
A smoky mountain wildfire destroyed three houses and forced hundreds of people to leave their homes despite progress Monday clearing fire lines, officials said.
At least two of the burned houses appeared to be abandoned, the U.S. Forest Service said in a statement.
One other home was damaged by the blaze that charred about 3.4 square miles (9 sq. kilometers) of trees and brush in and around Sequoia National Forest.
Power lines and communications facilities were also under threat.
Firefighters using air tankers and helicopters were battling the fire, which was about 10 percent contained. On Monday, firefighters succeeded in digging a fire line almost all the way around the blaze and were burning vegetation in the fire's path.
Flames that were being pushed by gusty winds from the west came within a mile of the mountain community of Wofford Heights, and authorities called on residents of about 1,000 threatened homes to evacuate. Dozens of people stayed at a Red Cross shelter overnight, and residents of 500 homes were under mandatory evacuation.
The fire broke out Friday night in a remote area about 40 miles (65 kilometers) northeast of Bakersfield and expanded Saturday as dry winds pushed the flames toward homes, prompting Kern County sheriff's deputies to knock on doors into the night to urge residents to leave.
More than 1,100 firefighters were battling the blaze in the steep, rugged terrain at elevations of up to 4,000 feet (1,200 meters) in a popular outdoor recreation area of the southern Sierra Nevadas. Aircraft were scooping water from Lake Isabella to use on the flames. Helicopters flew around the clock and crews were able to keep the fire from growing significantly.
There is no projected containment date and more crews were expected to join the fight.
At least two of the burned houses appeared to be abandoned, the U.S. Forest Service said in a statement.
One other home was damaged by the blaze that charred about 3.4 square miles (9 sq. kilometers) of trees and brush in and around Sequoia National Forest.
Power lines and communications facilities were also under threat.
Firefighters using air tankers and helicopters were battling the fire, which was about 10 percent contained. On Monday, firefighters succeeded in digging a fire line almost all the way around the blaze and were burning vegetation in the fire's path.
Flames that were being pushed by gusty winds from the west came within a mile of the mountain community of Wofford Heights, and authorities called on residents of about 1,000 threatened homes to evacuate. Dozens of people stayed at a Red Cross shelter overnight, and residents of 500 homes were under mandatory evacuation.
The fire broke out Friday night in a remote area about 40 miles (65 kilometers) northeast of Bakersfield and expanded Saturday as dry winds pushed the flames toward homes, prompting Kern County sheriff's deputies to knock on doors into the night to urge residents to leave.
More than 1,100 firefighters were battling the blaze in the steep, rugged terrain at elevations of up to 4,000 feet (1,200 meters) in a popular outdoor recreation area of the southern Sierra Nevadas. Aircraft were scooping water from Lake Isabella to use on the flames. Helicopters flew around the clock and crews were able to keep the fire from growing significantly.
There is no projected containment date and more crews were expected to join the fight.
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