CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. (AP) – A Northern California wildfire that incinerated 43 homes and sent thousands fleeing has been reduced to embers and smoke.
Fire officials say the blaze was 62 percent contained as of Saturday morning, after sweeping through nearly 109 square miles of rural timberlands and brushy hills. Crews are now concentrating on dousing hot spots.
Most of the estimated 1,200 people forced from their homes by the July 29 blaze have been allowed back, and two highways used as firebreaks reopened.
Weekend weather in the area is expected to be hot with higher humidity and winds of around 10 mph.
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