High line
Nearly 1,100 people in northern California were forced to evacuate on Tuesday and Wednesday because the electric fire – triggered by a fourth fireworks display or barbecue in July – tripled, threatening more than 1,200 buildings.
A firefighter burns plants as he tries to keep electricity from reaching homes in Pine … [+] Amador County, California Acre Community Tuesday, July 5, 2022. (AP Photo / Noah Berger)
Key facts
Electra Fire in Northern California now consumes approximately 4,000 acres (6.1 square miles), and is only 5%, according to the year. Cal fire Amador-El Dorado Class.
Electra Fire is one of the six most active wildfires in California, with the largest and lowest fire at the Sacramento North Rice Fire (904 acres, 85 percent) and the Garrison Fire, just north of San Luis Obispo on the California coast. (166 acres, contains 95%).
The National Weather Service forecast seven days for Jackson, California, north of wildfires, no rain, light winds and daily highs in the 80s and 90s.
Karin Larson watches as the electric fire breaks out into her home, causing the air conditioner to drop late … [+] Amador County, California Pine Acre Community Tuesday, July 5, 2022. (AP Photo / Noah Berger)
Key background
The cause of the fire is still being investigated, but county officials believe it may have been triggered by a July 4 fireworks display or barbecue. It was first reported on Monday at 3 p.m. at Amcor County Recreation Center – 30 miles northeast of Stockton and 30 miles southeast of Sacramento. He said 1,217 buildings in two woredas were at risk from 9 a.m. on Tuesday and that only 5 percent of the fires had been contained. Cal fire Amador-El Dorado Class. With the 2020 federal census figures, evacuation orders were extended Tuesday to Calaverras County and Amador County with a total population of 85,766.
Critical verse
“The pace is not as high as it was yesterday, but it is still expanding,” Amador County Sheriff Gary Redman told NBC Bay on Tuesday.
Tangent
According to scientists, wildfires are becoming more and more common in the arid West Coast and Rocky Mountains and around the world, with climate change leading to drought, extreme heat and land use. According to a February United Nations report, wildfires will increase by 14 percent by 2030 and by 30 percent by 2050.
Firefighter Rafael Sotto fights an electric fire in the Calaveras Rich Gulch community … [+] County, California, Tuesday, July 5, 2022. (AP Photo / Noah Berger)
Further reading
Hundreds displaced in California as electro-fire spreads in Sierra Nevada Gold (CBS News)
Electra fire to 3,900 acres, threatens 1,200-plus structures (The Mercury News)