The Latest: 200 structures now destroyed in California fire
The Latest on wildfires burning in the West (all times local):
10:42 a.m.
Fire officials say 200 homes and other buildings have now been destroyed in a deadly wildfire burning in central California.
The Kern County Fire Department reports that firefighters were making progress Sunday in establishing a perimeter around the 58-square-mile blaze. Fire officials say most of the flames are now within that perimeter.
An elderly couple was found dead after becoming overcome by smoke and authorities say the death toll may rise.
Firefighters are hoping to take advantage of lighter winds, but a dry air mass over the area will continue to bring high temperatures and low humidity.
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9:17 a.m.
A wildfire that’s been burning in New Mexico for a month has grown to nearly 66 square miles.
The fire in the San Mateo Mountains near Magdalena began May 21 and was caused by lightning. It is 69 percent contained.
It’s one of two major wildfires burning in the state, including a 28-square-mile fire in the Manzano Mountains southeast of Albuquerque that’s now 90 percent contained.
A little rain helped the hundreds of firefighters battling the blaze Saturday.
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8:51 a.m.
Firefighters say a ravenous wildfire that has burned 150 homes and claimed at least two lives in central California is about 10 percent contained.
Capt. Tyler Townsend of the Kern County Fire Department said Sunday that lower winds a day before had assisted firefighters in battling the blaze.
Firefighters were working Sunday to establish a perimeter around the fire. Townsend says fire officials hope to have full containment by June 30th.
The wildfire has reduced entire blocks to rubble and threatened at least 2,500 homes.
Officials say an elderly couple was found dead after apparently becoming overcome by smoke. Authorities also found what appears to be a set of human remains in a mobile home Saturday.
About 1,700 firefighters are battling the blaze.
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8:37 a.m.
A wildfire burning near Sundance, Wyoming, has destroyed one home and more than a dozen outbuildings.
Fire officials say the fire grew to 20 square miles Saturday, but intensive work allowed firefighters to get it 50 percent contained.
The fire is located east of the Keyhole Reservoir in northeast Wyoming, near the border with South Dakota. It started with lightning on Friday, and spread quickly.
Authorities closed Interstate 90 between Moorcroft and Sundance for a brief time Saturday to allow firefighters to build a fire line. The highway reopened Saturday evening.
