State of Emergency Declared in Kern County, Calif.

Erskine Fire explodes to more than 30,000 acres prompts State of Emergency Declaration

The so-called Erskine Fire, burning in the Lake Isabella area of Kern County, has devoured more than 30,000 acres, killing at least two people, destroying or damaging scores of building and threatening more than 1,500 additional structures, fire officials said.

• The deadly fire prompted Gov. Brown to declare a state of emergency.
• Up to 6,000 people have been evacuated.
• The fire started around 4pm on Thursday and quickly spread 18km in 13 hours, devouring 30,000 acres of parched grass, officials said.
• Some 800 fire personnel are currently at the scene, Inciweb said.

Meanwhile, the federal government issued a Fire Disaster Management Assistance for California Erskine Fire (FM-5131).

• “Most Devastating” Wildfire Destroys Scores of Homes in SoCal June 24, 2016

“Most Devastating” Wildfire Destroys Scores of Homes in SoCal

Ferocious wildfire in Squirrel Valley, Kern County destroys 100 homes, structures threatens 1,500 more

One of the most devastating wildfires I’ve ever seen —Kern County Fire Capt.

The explosive Erskine Fire has consumed about 5,400 acres since Thursday afternoon in Lake Isabella, Kern County, about 65km northeast of Bakersfield, destroying at least 80 homes, two dozen structures, and threatening 1,500 more.

The fire is “extremely dangerous, extremely volatile,” said Kern County Fire Capt. Tyler Townsend.

“I’ve never been in a wildland fire where I’ve seen so many homes burn. It’s one of the most devastating I’ve ever seen,” said Townsend.

Mass evacuations have been ordered in the areas threatened by the blaze including the rural communities of South Fork, Weldon, Onyx, Lakeland Estates, Yankee Canyon and Mountain Mesa, according to official reports.

 

July the Month of Instantaneous Combustion

Coming to a place near you soon!

Forest fires sweep across central Russia

Wildfires caused by soaring temperatures kill at least a dozen people, consume  1,500 homes

Massive blazes force hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate their home in Russia’s hottest summer on 130-year record.

A security guard walks near grass, which was lit on fire by severe heat, at Khodynskoe pole aviation museum in Moscow July 29, 2010.  Photo: Reuters/ Xinhua. Image may be subject to copyright.

A heatwave has plagued Central  Russia and Siberia since June, incinerating homes, destroying crops and driving thousands of farmers to the verge of bankruptcy, a report said.

Eastern Siberia on Fire

Fires are still burning in eastern Siberia, north of the Kamchatka Peninsula. The above natural-color image was captured by MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite on July 30, 2010.   Source: NASA E/O. Click image to enlarge. Download large image (4 MB, JPEG)

Dominic Point Fire, Montana

Original Caption:  Lightning strikes and human activities in the forested mountains of the western United States can spark wildfires during the summer dry season. The Dominic Point Fire was first reported near 3:00 p.m. local time on Sunday, July 25, 2010. Approximately one hour later, the International Space Station crew photographed the fire’s large smoke plume—already extending at least 8 kilometers (5 miles) to the east—from orbit as the station passed almost directly overhead. Forest Service fire crews, slurry bombers, and helicopters were on the scene by that evening.

The fire may have been started by a lightning strike, as there are no trails leading into the fire area located approximately 22 kilometers (14 miles) northeast of Hamilton, Montana, according to local reports. As of July 26, 2010, the fire had burned approximately 700 to 1,000 acres (283 to 405 hectares) of the Bitterroot National Forest in western Montana. The fire is thought to have expanded quickly due to high temperatures, low humidity, and favorable winds with an abundance of deadfall—dead trees and logs that provide readily combustible fuels—in the area. The image was taken by the Expedition 24 crew. See the International Space Station Program and the NASA/JSC Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth. Click image to enlarge. Download large image (999 KB, JPEG)

Bull Fire in Sequoia National Forest, Calif

The Bull Fire started in the early hours of  Monday, July 26 on the southern edge of California’s ailing Sequoia National Forest. MODIS on NASA’s Aqua satellite captured this image at 2:40 p.m. U.S. Pacific Time on July 27.  Source: NASA E/O. Click image to enlarge. Download large image (3 MB, JPEG)

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