[californiadisasters] CA Wildfires Burn 31 Square Miles, But Weekend Weather Might Help Firefighters

Southern California's weekend forecast includes temperatures and humidity levels that might help firefighters contain fires north of San Diego

By Jonathan Lloyd

|  Friday, May 16, 2014  |  Updated 11:54 AM PDT

CAL FIRE crews have responded to more than 120 new wildfires that burned more than 30 square miles in the past four days as hot, dry and windy conditions plagued California during a week of destruction north of San Diego.

Of those 120 new fires, 10 were considered major incidents -- including several fires in San Diego County, where the most active fire has burned more than 3,000 acres and destroyed at least three structures. Crews contained two of the major fires Thursday and three more Friday morning, bringing the number of major active fires across the state to five (scroll down for locations).

The wildfires have scorched 20,000 acres (31.25 square miles) this week across California, according to CAL FIRE.

Containment of the Cocos Fire was at 10 percent and evacuations remained in effect Friday morning as the fire fight entered its third day. A flare-up Thursday in the north San Diego suburb of San Marcos prompted more than 18,000 new evacuation notices as flames raced through tinder-dry brush on hillsides.

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Most of the 120 fires to which CAL FIRE personnel responded this week were contained to small acreage. The fires ignited and spread quickly as the state endures a third-consecutive dry year that prompted the governor's office to add 300 seasonal firefighters as part of a Drought State of Emergency declaration.

Active California Wildfires (Updated at 10 a.m. Friday)

• Cocos Fire, San Diego County: 3,018 acres, 10-percent contained
• Bernardo Fire, San Diego County: 1,548 acres, 90-percent contained
• Miguelito Fire, Santa Barbara County: 632 acres, 90-percent contained
• Tomahawk Fire, San Diego County: 6,300 acres, 23-percent contained
• Pulgas Fire, San Diego County: 8,000 acres, 5-percent contained

Fires at 100-Percent Containment (Updated at 10 a.m. Friday)

• Freeway Fire, San Diego County: 56 acres
• River Fire, San Diego County: 105 acres
• Poinsettia Fire, San Diego County: 400 acres
• Highway Fire, San Diego County: 380 acres
• Fidder Fire, Shasta County: 40 acres

The weekend forecast includes a drop in temperatures and increased humidity -- two good signs for firefighters.

"Winds have shifted across much of Southern California bringing wind onshore with cooler temperatures and higher humidity," according to a CAL FIRE statement. "This shift will aid firefighters in their battle to contain the remaining wildfires."

The winds are expected to decrease by Friday night.

Source: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Major-Wildfires-California-CAL-FIRE-Firefighters-259545271.html

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