Wildfires expand in Oregon and California, threatening homes and prompting evacuations
Share and Follow


(AP) – Wildfires in California wine country and Central Oregon grew overnight, prompting hundreds of evacuations as firefighters worked Sunday to try to contain the blazes amid dry, hot weather.

The Pickett Fire in Napa County had grown to more than 10 square miles (26 square kilometers) and was 11% contained as of early Sunday, according to the California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection.

About 190 people were ordered to leave their homes, while another 360 were under evacuation warnings as the fire threatened about 500 structures near Aetna Springs and Pope Valley, said Jason Clay, spokesman for Calfire Sonoma Lake-Napa Unit.

More than 1,230 firefighters backed by 10 helicopters were battling the fire, which began Thursday after a week of extremely hot weather. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Residents of the Western United States have been sweltering in a heat wave that hospitalized some people, with temperatures forecast to hit dangerous levels throughout the weekend in Washington, Oregon, Southern California, Nevada and Arizona.

Clay said the weather has moderated since the fire broke out, with Sunday’s high expected to be 94 degrees (34 Celsius). But as the day goes on, humidity levels were expected to drop and the winds to pick up in the afternoon.

“That’s been a driving factor in the afternoons since we’ve seen the fire activity pick up for the last three days,” Clay said, adding that “support from all up and down California has been critical to our efforts.”

The fire began in the same area as the much larger Glass Fire in 2020, which crossed into Sonoma County and eventually burned about 105 square miles (272 square kilometers) and more than 1,500 structures.

That fire was driven by wind, while the current fire is fueled by dry vegetation on steep slopes — some of it dead and downed trees left over from the Glass Fire and some of it grass and brush that grew back and then dried out again, said Clay.

In Oregon, the Flat Fire in Deschutes and Jefferson counties had grown to almost 34 square miles (88 square kilometers), with no containment, and threatened nearly 4,000 homes, according to the state Fire Marshal’s Office. About 10,000 people were under some sort of evacuation notice.

The fire began Thursday night and grew quickly amid hot, gusty conditions. Fire officials were keeping an eye on isolated thunderstorms in Southern Oregon that could drift north on Sunday, spokesman Chris Schimmer said in a video posted to Facebook.

Although it’s difficult to directly tie a single fire or weather event directly to climate change, scientists say human-caused warming from burning fossil fuels like coal and gas is causing more intense heat waves and droughts, which in turn set the stage for more destructive wildfires.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Jewish students 'scared' after Mamdani wins NYC mayor race, calling it 'huge blow'

Jewish Community Expresses Concern Following Mamdani’s Victory in NYC Mayoral Election

EXCLUSIVE: Jewish students in New York City are expressing anxiety over the…
Dick Cheney to be laid to rest this month: What we know about the vice president's funeral

Honoring a Legacy: Details of Former Vice President Dick Cheney’s Funeral Arrangements Revealed

Earlier this month, the political world was met with the news of…
Chicago flights canceled today LIVE: More than 146 flights canceled at O'Hare, Midway airports; FAA's drop in 6% flights kicks in

LIVE Updates: Over 146 Flights Canceled at Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway Airports as FAA Implements 6% Flight Reduction

CHICAGO — Travelers may face heightened frustrations on Tuesday as air travel…
AI-generated print snuck onto museum wall

AI Artwork Mysteriously Appears on Museum Wall

In an intriguing twist of events, the National Museum Cardiff in Wales…
ICE Chicago news: Judge considers releasing hundreds arrested in Chicago immigration operation 'Midway Blitz'

Chicago Judge Weighs Release of Hundreds Arrested in ‘Midway Blitz’ Immigration Operation

In Chicago, tensions rise as a federal judge deliberates the possible release…
World told to brace for 'severe geomagnetic storm' TOMORROW

Prepare for Intense Geomagnetic Storm Predicted to Hit Tomorrow

Beginning Wednesday, Earth is bracing for a powerful influx of charged solar…
Dave Plier gives ABC7 tour of revitalized Museum of Broadcast Communications in West Loop, Chicago

Dave Plier Showcases Revitalized Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago’s West Loop on ABC7

The Museum of Broadcast Communications has reopened its doors in Chicago’s West…
Advocates want Mexico to step up for citizens before they are deported from US

Advocates Urge Mexico to Enhance Support for Citizens Facing Deportation from the U.S.

EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – Over 100 advocacy groups across the…