Thursday, July 3, 2008

Wildfires Continue to Scorch Parts of the State

The fact that it isn't even officially fire season in California makes the current fires burning in parts of California all the more frightening.

Yet another day and fires continue to burn, with the area of Big Sur now threatened. One firefighter has also died during the recent fires. Other victims are animals, as the fires send wildlife headed for safer grounds.

One blaze, which has scorched more than 64,000 acres in the Los Padres National Forest, was just one of hundreds flaming around the state.

Elsewhere, a wildfire is
threatening more than 200 canyon homes in the Santa Ynez Mountains above communities on the southern Santa Barbara County coastline. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency in Santa Barbara County to free up resources to battle that blaze, which has consumed more than 2,400 acres.

Meantime, crews near the Pacific Coast Highway tackled flames from homes and historic landmarks. More than a dozen homes have been destroyed in the area since the blaze started nearly two weeks ago.

Needless to say, the 4th of July will not be a relaxing one for firefighters.

No comments: