Wildfires menace homes in 3 Western states

Destructive wildfires burn structures, menace homes in California, Oregon, Washington state

8/4/2014
ASSOCIATED PRESS
  • Western-Wildfires-147

    The Black Eagles 5 fire crew out of Porterville, Calif., walk along a road as smoke from the Eiler Fire fills the air on Monday, Aug. 4, 2014, in Hat Creek, Calif. Firefighters were focusing on two wildfires near each other in Northern California that have burned through more than 100 square miles of terrain. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

    ASSOCIATED PRESS

  • Huey helicopter, operated by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, makes a water drop near homes in the Snag Canyon fire area.
    Huey helicopter, operated by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, makes a water drop near homes in the Snag Canyon fire area.

    BURNEY, Calif. — Officials hope humid conditions will aid firefighters battling two wildfires in Northern California that have scorched more than 100 square miles and are menacing a small town.

    State fire spokesman Capt. Amy Head said today that the worst of the two fires raging within miles of each other threatens more than 700 structures.

    Authorities report that eight homes have burned as a result of the blazes and residents in the town of Burney face possible evacuation.

    Meanwhile, a major wildfire in the Siskiyou Mountains along the Oregon-California border has slowed as temperatures cooled, but it still jeopardizes 270 homes after burning six.

    In Washington state, a wind-whipped blaze destroyed about a dozen structures and prompted an evacuation notice for around 80 homes.