Latest news with #CALFIRE
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Two fires erupt, combine and spread in Riverside County
Two wildfires that broke out within a mile of each other in Riverside County on Wednesday quickly merged and spread to at least 220 acres as of 2:30 p.m., officials said. Originally dubbed separately as the Brad Fire and the Bradford Fire, the Riverside County Fire Department told KTLA that the flames intertwined in the brush of Aguanga, located in the Inland Empire region of the county. Now referred to only as the Brad Fire, crews first reported the flames at 12:34 p.m. near Lugo Road and Highway 371. The vegetation was burning at a moderate rate of speed, and crews called for additional resources to help slow the spread. Unconfirmed reports from the Watch Duty app indicate the fire may be threatening at least 10 structures. According to the California Highway Patrol's incident log — which includes preliminary communications not yet independently confirmed by KTLA — authorities are discussing closing Highway 371 in both directions and possible evacuations in the area. Sky5 is en route to the scene and will bring you live updates once overhead. The cause of the fire is under investigation, according to CAL FIRE. This is a developing story. Stay with KTLA for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Yahoo
Human Remains Found at Site of Calif. Fireworks Explosion Days After 7 People Were Reported Missing
Local authorities in northern California have discovered human remains at the site of a fireworks facility that exploded earlier this week Officials said in a statement released on Friday, July 4, that "no positive identifications have been made" The deadly incident took place on Tuesday, July 1, at around 6 p.m. local time, PEOPLE previously reported, and seven people were unaccounted for after the blastLocal authorities in northern California have discovered human remains at the site of a fireworks facility explosion days after the deadly incident first occurred. Yolo County officials announced the grim discovery in a statement on Friday, July 4, three days after the explosion and fire broke out on the evening of Tuesday, July 1. Workers from the Yolo County Coroner's Division accessed the site after it was confirmed to be safe and discovered the remains during a recovery operation, according to a statement from multiple emergency response agencies. "At this time, no positive identifications have been made," an official wrote in the release. Seven people remained unaccounted for following the incident, PEOPLE previously reported. "Recovery efforts are expected to continue throughout the weekend as investigators, coroner personnel, and fire crews work carefully and respectfully through the process," the statement said. "The Coroner's Office has been in contact with the families of those previously reported missing." Arson and bomb investigators from CAL FIRE's Office of the State Fire Marshal are leading the ongoing investigation. "Our hearts and thoughts are with those we lost, their families, and everyone impacted in our community. We are grateful for the swift response of law enforcement and emergency personnel," a spokesperson for the company operating the facility, Devastating Pyrotechnics, said in an online statement. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "Our focus will remain on those directly impacted by this tragedy, and we will cooperate fully with the proper authorities in their investigation," the spokesperson added. Marisol Ramos told NBC News earlier this week that her three sons worked at the site and have been missing since the explosion occurred. 'Let us do it,' Ramos said as she begged authorities to let her look for her adult children. 'I'm willing to go in … I want to search for my kids.' Read the original article on People
Fox News
04-07-2025
- Fox News
Human remains discovered days after devastating California fireworks facility explosion
Days after a California fireworks facility caught fire and exploded, authorities were able to reenter the building and confirm human remains were found. Two people were injured, and seven others were reported missing following the blast, which happened Tuesday night in Esparto, California. During a coordinated recovery operation, the Yolo County Coroner's Division found human remains at the site, officials said on Friday. No positive identifications have been made. Recovery efforts are expected to continue throughout the weekend as investigators, coroner personnel, and fire crews work carefully and respectfully throughout the process. Esparto Fire Chief Curtis Lawrence previously said firefighters initially entered the building, but were later pulled out due to "the severity and the risks that were there." As of Wednesday night, they had not re-entered the building to search for the missing people, citing safety concerns. The coroner's office said it has been in contact with the families of those previously reported missing and will continue to provide them with timely updates as information becomes available. Out of respect for the families, the county said it will not release the identities of the deceased until official identification has been made and next of kin have been formally notified. The Esparto Fire Protection District requested arson and bomb investigators from CAL FIRE – Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) to lead the origin and cause investigation. The investigation remains ongoing. Yolo County is offering behavioral health and grief support services to those affected, and the district attorney's office is providing a victim services program.
Newsweek
03-07-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
Madre Fire Map: California Wildfire Engulfed 35,000 Acres in 24 Hours
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A California wildfire that started on Wednesday afternoon continues to burn, having destroyed over 35,000 acres as of Thursday afternoon, with only a tiny portion contained. Why It Matters California has already been hit with massive wildfires this year, notably those that demolished parts of Southern California in January. The Palisades and Eaton fires across thousands of acres killed dozens, caused the destruction of thousands of buildings, and prompted mass evacuations that forced residents to swiftly relocate or risk losing their lives. Earlier this week, the Wolf fire burned roughly 2,400 acres. What To Know The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) says the Madre fire began at 1:07 p.m. local time Wednesday. As of 1:23 p.m. local time on Thursday, 35,530 acres of federally owned land had been burned, and just 5 percent of the fire had been contained. A broader look at the Madre fire in San Luis Obispo, California, that has destroyed over 35,000 acres as of Thursday afternoon local time. A broader look at the Madre fire in San Luis Obispo, California, that has destroyed over 35,000 acres as of Thursday afternoon local time. CAL FIRE Agencies tending to the Madre fire include the Los Padres National Forest, CAL FIRE San Luis Obispo, and the Bureau of Land Management. "With the current weather, terrain, and fuels conditions this fire has seen exponential growth in less than 24 hours in multiple counties surrounding the San Luis Obispo County area," the U.S. Forest Service posted Wednesday on Facebook. "Smoke impacts will be far reaching." At the outset of the blaze, the San Luis Obispo Sheriff's Office estimated that some 500 acres were already burned at the scene, near the 10000 block of Highway 166 in the Los Padres National Forest. They warned the fire was spreading "rapidly." Highway 166 was closed by authorities, and an evacuation zone was declared, with officials urging residents to leave the area. Cal Fire deployed air crews and ground resources to assist the U.S. Forest Service as it spreads off federal land and "now moving toward state areas," California Governor Gavin Newsom's office said on Wednesday on X, formerly Twitter. What People Are Saying National Weather Service Los Angeles, Tuesday on X: "Visible satellite shows the #MadreFire affecting interior San Luis Obispo County, with a smoke plume spreading SE of the fire over Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. In the latest update, the fire is over 8300 acres." California Governor Gavin Newsom's office, Wednesday on X: "The state has surged significant @CAL_FIRE resources to support this federal fire—operating in Unified Command with our federal and local partners to protect lives, property, and communities." What Happens Next Crews continue to try to reduce the impact of the flames. The cause of the Madre fire is under investigation.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wildfires erupt in California as drought conditions expand
LOS ANGELES – Fire season is in full swing across California, with more than a dozen wildfires igniting since Saturday. Most of the blazes are burning in the southern half of the state, where dry conditions are more extensive, allowing fires to quickly get out of hand. Hundreds of firefighters are working to contain wildfires in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, which have even forced evacuations. In Riverside County, the Wolf Fire has exploded in size after first being spotted over the weekend outside of Banning, California. As of Tuesday, according to CAL FIRE, more than 2,400 acres had burned, with containment only around 35%. More than 4,000 structures were considered threatened south of Interstate 10, with the American Red Cross establishing at least one shelter for evacuees. So far, no homes have been reported damaged; however, at least three firefighters have been injured while battling the blaze. The U.S. Forest Service says it is also working to keep the flames out of the San Bernardino National Forest, which encompasses more than 800,000 acres throughout Southern California. Pollution From California Wildfires Killed 52,000 In A Decade, Study Says Further southwest, firefighters have made more progress with the Juniper Fire, which has burned nearly 700 acres but is more than 60% contained. Similar to the Wolf Fire, the blaze started within the past 72 hours, and the cause remains under investigation. Farther north, the Lake Fire in San Bernardino County is the one firefighters are most concerned about. At last check with CAL FIRE, the wildfire had burned nearly 500 acres and was around 50% contained. Some evacuation warnings remained in effect for hillside communities, and nearby recreation zones were off-limits as crews used resources both in the air and on the ground to try to contain the flames. Study Finds Wildfires In Western Us Are Growing Faster, Causing More Damage Around 70% of the state is considered to be unusually dry or suffering from drought conditions, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, and there appears to be no relief in sight as the state enters the driest months of the year. Even though the annual monsoon has begun, most of the precipitation has been on the eastern flank, impacting areas around New Mexico and West Texas, leaving large parts of California and Arizona high and dry. Additionally, tropical moisture, which has led to a record amount of cyclone activity across the eastern Pacific, has remained well south of the Golden State, keeping rain chances near nil at best. Fortunately, authorities have not had to contend with gusty winds or weather patterns such as the Santa Anas, which are most common during the fall, winter, and spring. Long-term outlooks from NOAA's Climate Prediction Center show no widespread relief over the summer months, which means drought conditions will continue to deteriorate, and the threat of wildfires will gradually increase. According to a congressional research report, an annual average of 61,410 wildfires burn some 7.2 million acres every year across the country. Most fires are human-caused, but wildfires sparked by lightning tend to be larger and burn more article source: Wildfires erupt in California as drought conditions expand
