Wildfire scorched an area in California roughly half the size of Chicago in less than a week as thousands more evacuate

By Aya Elamroussi, CNN

California’s fast-moving Caldor Fire has spread so quickly that it burned an area roughly half the size of Chicago in less than a week, forcing thousands to abandon their homes.

An average of more than 10,000 acres was burned per day in El Dorado County since the fire was sparked Saturday. The blaze has so far charred more than 73,400 acres and remains 0% contained, according to a Friday morning update by Cal Fire.

“With historic drought conditions there is heavy dead and down fuels through the fire area,” Cal Fire said. “Northern California remains under fuels and fire behavior advisory.”

The fire had grown 24 times its size from Monday to Wednesday, but its pace slowed Thursday when it swelled by about 5,000 acres.

Many areas in El Dorado County remain under either evacuation orders or warnings. The number of people evacuated jumped to about 23,000 from 16,380 the previous day, according to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.

Evacuations were ordered in Lake County, California, where the Cache Fire burned through 75 acres, according to Cal Fire. Some of those orders were lifted as crews contained the fire by 40%.

The fire, about 100 miles northwest of Sacramento, destroyed more than 150 vehicles and 137 structures, of which 81 are outbuildings, local officials said during a news conference Thursday.

Devastating wildfire season

California’s wildfire season has been devastating this year. The state’s 12 active wildfires swept through more than 1 million acres so far, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

The rapid spread of the fires prompted the US Forest Service to temporarily shutter nine national forests in Northern California from August 23 until September 6.

“Fires are running very quickly due to the drought conditions, dry fuels, and winds. This makes initial attack and containment very difficult and is even more challenging with strained resources who are battling more than 100 large fires across the country,” Regional Forester Jennifer Eberlien said Thursday in a news release. “These temporary closures are necessary to ensure public and firefighter safety, as well as reduce the potential for new fire starts.”

And in drought-stricken Northern California, an already dire situation is only getting more ominous.

The US Drought Monitor reported that areas under either extreme or exceptional dry conditions, the most severe drought categories, have recently expanded.

Three months ago, roughly 16% of the state was under exceptional drought. Now, nearly 50% is experiencing that, according to the monitor, which is produced by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the US Department of Agriculture and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Areas under extreme drought also swelled to about 88% of the state, up from 73% three months ago.

But there is some temporary reprieve.

“As of right now, there is actually no areas of elevated fire risk throughout the West for Friday, but drought conditions will not improve for the West Coast any time soon. These areas are still seeing rapid worsening drought conditions,” CNN meteorologist Robert Shackelford said.

Dozens of fires continue to burn, but rain to bring some relief

Overall, thousands of firefighters are battling 104 large fires in the US. But there’s a glimmer of hope in some regions.

“With all this bad news, there is great news for the Southwest,” Shackelford noted. “Arizona started the year with 72% of the state in exceptional drought, and this week is down to 5.36%. And New Mexico started the year with 53% of the state in exceptional drought, and now is down to 1.68%!”

The states saw improvements as heavy monsoonal rains returned this week, the drought monitor said, bringing cooler temperatures.

“Most of the remaining drought in these states, while still extreme or exceptional in some locales, is confined to long-term impacts, as conditions are wet in many places on the short-term,” according to the monitor’s report. “While heavy monsoonal rain occurred in Arizona and New Mexico, moderate to heavy amounts were mostly confined to these two states.”

Meanwhile, wildfires have scorched more than 2.5 million acres nationally, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

California is home to the nation’s largest active wildfire — the Dixie Fire — which has destroyed more than 1,200 structures, including 651 single residences, Cal Fire said. More than 16,000 are threatened.

The fire has seared roughly 700,000 acres as of Friday with 35% containment, according to Cal Fire. The cause remains under investigation.

“The Dixie Fire remained active overnight, with the dry air over the fire,” Cal Fire said Friday. “Humidity values rose enough to limit fire progression in the early morning hours. Fuel moistures are historically low. Crews continue to strengthen control lines and mop up hot spots. Damage assessment is ongoing.”

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