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11/22/2024 09:35:09 am

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California Wildfire Forces Residents To Evacuate

Firefighters protect an evacuated home

(Photo : Reuters )

Breaking News Update: A fast-growing brush fire near the Northern California town of Weaverville force the evacuation of over 200 residences and is on the verge of threatening approximately 500 additional properties. Crews have been working around the clock to build containment lines around the rising wildfire.

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The uncontained fire is also threatening over 20 different businesses and facilities in the immediate area, including the town high school and regional airport. A spokeswoman with the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services says that officials are working vigorously to control the fire and at this point is about 20 percent contained. She states that though it is still burning, the flames "have not spread overnight".

The fire has burned well over 1 square miles, or over 700 acres, of timber and brush outside of the Gold Rush-era city 'boom town'.

The wildfire is burning at an incredibly rate of spread, while extremely steep terrain and gusting winds are making speedy-containment nearly impossible for the firefighters. With gusts of up to 32 mph and very dry conditions, the raging fire has the perfect conditions to spread and burn uncontrollably. Fire official say that there are about 400 firefighters designated to the area, trying to contain the blaze.

KRCR-TV reports that the fire has temporarily forced the closure of the main highway, and school was canceled until further notice.

Door to door evacuations are taking place at the following places: Leslie Ln, Weaver Bally Rd, Weaver Bally Estates, Fisher Price Ln, Ridge Rd, Easter Ave, Barbara Ave, Garden Gulch, Browns Ranch Rd, Squires Ln, East Weaver Creek Rd, Airport Rd, Brooks Ln, Squires Ln.

An evacuation center is also set up at Weaverville Elementary School 31020 HIGHWAY 3 WEAVERVILLE, CA. What caused this unexpected flash wildfire is still under heavy investigation. 

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