"Wildfire Rips Through 150 Homes In Northern California"

"Fire crews in California battled on Tuesday to halt the advance of wildfire that has already destroyed about 150 homes, lapped at rural schools and caused power outages that left an evacuation shelter without electricity, authorities said.

The day-old blaze, one of about a dozen major fires raging across the drought-parched state, prompted authorities to order the evacuation of about 1,000 households in and around the Northern California town of Weed, which has a population of about 3,000.

"Weed is a small community, and a lot of people have lost their homes," said Diane Howard, a clerk for the city.

California's fire season, which runs from May to October, is already on track to be the most destructive on record, according to state fire managers. In addition to the 150 homes burned in the fire raging near Weed, more than 30 were charred in another blaze near Yosemite.

The so-called Boles Fire near Weed has scorched 375 acres (152 hectares) north of San Francisco near the Oregon border since it erupted on Monday, and has burned down about 150 residences, said Cal Fire spokeswoman Alyssa Smith."

Alex Dobuzinkis reports for Reuters September 17, 2014.

SEE ALSO:

"Climate Change May Add Billions To Wildfire Costs, Study Says" (Los Angeles Times)

"Wildfire Devastates California Town" (AP)