PLYMOUTH, Calif. (AP) — Firefighters in Northern California are waging a fierce battle with a stubborn wildfire that has destroyed 10 homes and forced hundreds of evacuations in the Sierra Nevada foothills.
At the same time, a fire near Yosemite National Park has destroyed one home and has grown significantly.
East of Sacramento, the Sand Fire in the Sierra foothills has burned about 3,800 acres, roughly 6 square miles, of steep, rugged terrain near wine-growing regions in Amador and El Dorado counties. That’s according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
The fire, which has also destroyed seven outbuildings, was 35 percent contained Sunday afternoon. But CalFire says it’s still threatening hundreds of homes in the drought-stricken region.
Spokeswoman Lynn Tolmachoff says, in her words, “All of the vegetation in the area is struggling. It’s burning very easily.”
The Sand Fire has prompted authorities to evacuate about 500 homes and close several roads near the town of Plymouth. Nearly 1,500 firefighters, aided by aircraft including a DC-10 air tanker, are working to control the blaze.
CalFire officials say the fire started Friday when a vehicle drove over dry vegetation
%@AP Links
126-a-11-(Lynne Tolmachoff (TOHL’-mah-chawf), spokeswoman, CalFire, in AP interview)-“over 500 homes”-CalFire spokeswoman Lynne Tolmachoff says the fire has forced a lot of people from their homes. (27 Jul 2014)
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127-a-14-(Lynne Tolmachoff (TOHL’-mah-chawf), spokeswoman, CalFire, in AP interview)-“any containment lines”-CalFire spokeswoman Lynne Tolmachoff says firefighters are facing some tough challenges. (27 Jul 2014)
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125-a-08-(Lynne Tolmachoff (TOHL’-mah-chawf), spokeswoman, CalFire, in AP interview)-“a big concern”-CalFire spokeswoman Lynne Tolmachoff says weather conditions are not the best for firefighters. (27 Jul 2014)
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124-a-09-(Lynne Tolmachoff (TOHL’-mah-chawf), spokeswoman, CalFire, in AP interview)-“35 percent overnight”-CalFire spokeswoman Lynne Tolmachoff says firefighters are gaining on the Sand Fire in the Sierra Nevada foothills. (27 Jul 2014)
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