Thousands of Calif. Fire Evacuees to Head Home

Humidity, cooling temperatures aid struggle against Station fire

(NEWSER) - Finally, some good news on the massive California wildfire: A break in the weather is helping considerably, the Los Angeles Times reports. Officially, the blaze is still only 5% contained, but that number is expected to rise substantially when re-evaluated later today. "We made progress last night, not just due to humidity, but good darn firefighting,” said a commander. The 190-square-mile fire has destroyed more than 50 homes in six days. More»

Pair drives off road as flames consume national forest

(NEWSER) - Two California firefighters drove off a treacherous road to their death as they helped battle a 43,000-acre inferno in the Angeles National Forest, reports the Los Angeles Times. More than 2,800 firefighters, 12 helicopters and eight air tankers have converged on the area where the blaze now threatens some 13,000 homes in Los Angeles County. The blaze is only 5% contained, and has already destroyed 18 homes. More»

Official cites 'perfect storm of fuels, weather, and topography'

(NEWSER) - A growing California wildfire that has already scorched 35,000 acres and burned three people is bearing down on a small mountain community, the Los Angeles Times reports. Driven toward Acton, Calif., by wind and triple-digit heat, the blaze is "treacherous," said one fire chief. Firefighters plan “to go defensive, to let the fire come to us, because it has been going so fast," he added. More»

(NEWSER) - The first major California wildfire of the season has consumed over 5,000 acres in Santa Cruz County and won't be fully contained for a week, the San Jose Mercury News reports. Over a thousand firefighters are battling the blaze in rugged terrain that hadn't had a major fire in over 50 years, and a hot, dry, windy weekend is expected to make their job tougher. More»

Calif. fires come within a few miles of host's $50m home

(NEWSER) - Oprah Winfrey's mansion in Montecito has been evacuated as wildfires rage a few miles away in Santa Barbara, a source tells Us Weekly. Movers have been seen shifting the talk show host's belongings from the $50 million home. The fires have forced more than 30,500 people from their homes and emergency workers warn that downtown Montecito is now in danger. More»