What you need to know about the 15 wildfires across California
There are 15 serious wildfires burning throughout California.
For the record:
11:05 a.m. July 30, 2018An earlier version of this article stated that Yosemite National Park was closed due to the fire. Only parts of the park, including Yosemite Valley, are closed.
As of Tuesday, 12,300 firefighters were on the lines battling infernos that have burned more than 280,000 acres across the state.
“It’s a horrendous battle,” said Scott McLean, a deputy chief with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
“Last week alone, during the week, you had over 1,000 wildfire responses,” he said. “Commonly this time of year it’s maybe 250 to 300.”
Carr fire
Location: Shasta County
Damage: Burned more than 110,150 acres and more than 1,236 structures
Deaths: At least six people
Cranston fire
Location: San Jacinto Mountains
Damage: Burned 13,500 acres and several homes
Ferguson fire
Location: Near Yosemite National Park
Damage: Burned 57,800 acres and closed portions of the park
Deaths: Two firefighters
River fire
Location: Mendocino County
Damage: Burned 27,000 acres and four homes
Ranch fire
Location: Mendocino County
Damage: Burned 47,300 acres
Steele fire
Location: Napa County
Damage: Burned 150 acres and seven structures
Natches fire
Location: California-Oregon border
Damage: More than 5,000 acres
The death toll
Braden Varney, 36, bulldozer operator
Varney’s bulldozer tumbled down a hillside during the building of a defensive line in the Ferguson fire.
Brian Hughes, 33, captain of Arrowhead Interagency Hotshots
Hughes was killed when a tree fell on him during a tactical firing operation in the Ferguson fire.
Melody Bledsoe, Emily Roberts and James Roberts
Bledsoe and her two great-grandchildren were killed when fire swept into their home in Redding.
Jeremy Stoke, 37, Redding fire inspector
Stoke was killed during the Carr fire.
Don Ray Smith, 81, bulldozer operator
Smith was overtaken by flames during the Carr fire.
READ MORE:
‘It’s a horrendous battle’ trying to contain wildfires across California, firefighters say »
Eight people have died this year in California wildfires. Here are some of their stories »
The common thread in California’s wildfires: heat like the state has never seen »
UPDATES:
July 31, 12:05 p.m.: This article was updated with the latest information on fire damage.
This article was originally published July 30 at 8 a.m.
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