Wildfires across California consume nearly 60,000 acres
Six wildfires were burning across California on Saturday, consuming nearly 60,000 acres.
More than 4,500 firefighters were battling the fires, which stretched from the Klammath National Forest in Northern California to the Mexican border in San Diego County, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
The largest and most destructive of the blazes is the Erskine fire in Kern County, which had burned 35,711 acres as of Saturday afternoon, destroying more than 150 homes and killing at least two people. Authorities have found what they believe are the remains of a third victim.
The Kern County fire is about 5% contained.
In Southern California, the 7,609-acre Border fire in San Diego County, which has destroyed five homes and damaged another, was 70% contained, officials said Saturday. The 5,285-acre San Gabriel Complex fire in Los Angeles County’s mountains was nearly half contained, and evacuation orders had been lifted as of Saturday.
Read the latest Essential California newsletter >>
The 7,474-acre Sherpa fire, which threatened homes and destroyed one structure in Santa Barbara County, was almost entirely contained Saturday.
Farther north, the Marina fire in Mono County, which broke out north of Lee Vining on Friday, had burned 819 acres as of Saturday and was 5% contained.
In the Klamath National Forest, the lightning-sparked Pony fire had burned 2,858 acres and was 60% contained.
Red-flag fire warnings were in effect across much of southern and central California, including in the mountains of Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and Kern counties and in the Sacramento Valley from Redding to Sacramento, because of gusty winds and low humidity.
Twitter: @sewella
ALSO
Kern County residents struggle with devastation wrought by massive wildfire
Border fire in San Diego County is 70% contained, and evacuations are lifted
San Gabriel Complex fire is nearly half-contained; Chantry Flats recreation area reopens
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
