320-acre wildfire threatens homes in Northern California

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

VACAVILLE, Calif. (AP) — A wildfire that has burned more than 320 acres is threatening homes in a Northern California city.

The fire started around 10 p.m. Saturday, and wind gusts up to 40 mph are fanning the flames, said Vacaville city spokesman Mark Mazzaferro. KCRA-TV reports (http://apne.ws/1fd1gw5) that about 100 people have been evacuated. Vacaville is between San Francisco and Sacramento.

The winds are "making it difficult for our crews out there," he said.

Mazzaferro said several homes are threatened, but evacuations are voluntary. No structures have burned.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/c4c1da572abd43c890699cad4150d6ca/320-acre-wildfire-threatens-homes-northern-california

[Brother Buzz]

1. Sunrise update: winds abated; 50% contained; evacuations lifted; no structures lost

Smart money says idiots with illegal fireworks at Peña Adobe Park caused this

[MBS]

2. all too typical.

Uggh.
Where I used to live in California, two stupid kids playing with matches caused a fast-moving catastrophic fire that burned about 10,000 acres and destroyed about 25 homes, and everything in them. The fire moved so fast that the homes were destroyed within 45 minutes of the first hint of smoke; coming from the other side of a tall ridge more than 3 miles away, the fire wasn't even visible until it suddenly emerged over the ridge and raced down the side of the canyon.

One minute, people, having smelled a tiny whiff of smoke from the other side of the ridge, wondered if there might be a little fire somewhere; the next, they were with fleeing for their lives, with just the clothes on their backs -no time even to collect precious family photos, etc.
And this was an "ordinary" California summer day, not one preceded by 4 years of drought.

There is a reason why fireworks are (or at least were, and definitely should be) banned throughout most areas of California.

[CountAllVotes]

3. I agree!

They were shooting of their gunz and fireworks until midnight last night and yes, they are banned in many parts of Calif. due to the drought.

Stupid damned fools!

They are reaping what they have sown with their idiocy and general lack of brainz!

[mackerel]

4. Fireworks used to be banned in San Joaquin County but not anymore

it's good fundraiser money and Solano County doesn't have a ban either. Vacaville is in Solano County not far from UC Davis. A very dry part of the state with rolling grassy hills that dry out in the summer and sometimes the wind can roll in at 50 -60 miles an hour. Travis AFB is about 15 miles away too.

[Brother Buzz]

5. Vacaville is a fireworks-free city

The city has adopted regulations that prohibit the possession, sale or use of fireworks in Vacaville. Personal fireworks of any kind are illegal in the city of Vacaville.

[mackerel]

6. True. You can buy them in Suisun or Dixon as Solano County

itself does not prohibit sales. A lot of people buy them outside of the city and bring them back in. The Vacaville police force much like Fairfield and Vallejo tries to enforce it but they're out numbered. Maybe this fire will bring greater awareness to the problem.