Several wildfires, including three estimated at more than 10,000 acres, are burning in California ahead of a hot and dry summer in the fire-prone state.
As of Thursday morning, 14 fires estimated at 1,000 acres or more were reported by Cal Fire, the state's firefighting agency. They included the 15,700-acre Post Fire, which started Saturday in the mountains of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, and the Sites Fire in the Sacramento Valley region.
So far this year, Cal Fire reported 2,156 wildland fires that burned more than 89,784 acres. During the same period last year, the agency reported 1,866 fires that consumed 4,800 acres. The state's five-year average through June 17 is 2,557 fires and 14,460 acres.
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The fires below were estimated at 5,000 acres or more as of Thursday morning.
Sites Fire: Colusa County
Estimated at 19,000 acres, the Sites Fire started early Monday afternoon southeast of Stonyford in the Sacramento Valley. The fire was 15-percent contained Thursday morning with evacuation orders in place for some areas.
Post Fire: Los Angeles and Ventura counties
Firefighters increased containment lines around the 15,600-acre wildfire burning in two Southern California counties with improving weather conditions expected. The Post Fire, which started Saturday in the northern Los Angeles County community of Gorman near the 5 Freeway, was 24-percent contained Tuesday morning. That's significant progress from Monday morning, when the fire was only 8-percent contained. That figure was at nearly 40 percent Wednesday.
A good overview of the #SitesFire in Colusa County. The fire, burning near Sites Lodoga Rd & Wilson Creek, southeast of Stonyford, is 10,000 acres.
— CAL FIRE LNU (@CALFIRELNU) June 18, 2024
It is being influenced by winds from the North at 10-20 MPH & low relative humidity. A Red Flag Warning is in effect in the area. pic.twitter.com/8lpC7PTnPX
Corral Fire: San Joaquin County
Estimated at 14,100 acres, the Corral Fire has destroyed at least one structure. Two injuries were reported in connection with the fire, which was 100-percent contained.
Aero Fire: Calaveras County
The 5,300-acre Aero Fire started Monday in Calaveras County east of Stockton. Containment was at 52 percent. The area with grass and woodlands hasn't seen a large fire since 2003. Evacuation orders and warnings were issued.
