CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. (AP) - A wind-driven fire racing across dry brush in a largely rural area of Northern California has destroyed several buildings and threatened hundreds of others.
State fire officials say the Pawnee Fire broke out near the community of Clearlake Oaks, in Lake County, on Saturday evening and was burning out of control Sunday.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Battalion Chief Jonathan Cox says 600 homes have been evacuated.
He says cause of the fire isn't immediately known and there's no estimate on when it might be contained.
Because of the wildfire, Gov. Jerry Brown Monday declared a state of emergency that allows Lake County to receive more state resources to fight the fire and for recovery afterward.
According to Cal Fire, the fire has burned 8,200 acres and destroyed 22 structures as of Monday morning.
#PawneeFire [update] off Pawnee Rd & New Long Valley Rd, northeast of Clearlake Oaks (Lake County) is now 8,200 acres. https://t.co/LoCjg6kBA8 pic.twitter.com/AusFJCqlqF
— CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) June 25, 2018
The blaze was one of four burning in rural areas across Northern California on Sunday.
Another, in Tehama County, has consumed more than 5 square miles but didn't burn any structures.
