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California Sets Record With 2M Acres Burned So Far This Year

Associated Press

   SHAVER LAKE, CALIF. - Wildfires have burned more than 2 million acres
   in California this year, setting a state record even as crews battled
   dozens of growing blazes in sweltering temperatures Monday that
   strained the electrical grid and threatened power outages for millions.

   The most striking thing about the record is how early it was set, with
   the most dangerous part of the year ahead, said Lynne Tolmachoff,
   spokeswoman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire
   Protection, or Cal Fire.

   "It's a little unnerving because September and October are historically
   our worst months for fires," she said. "It's usually hot, and the fuels
   really dry out. And we see more of our wind events."

   The previous high was 1.96 million acres (793,184 hectares) burned in
   2018. Cal Fire began tracking the numbers in 1987.

   Firefighters struggled to corral several dangerous blazes ahead of dry,
   hot winds predicted to raise fire danger to critical levels in the
   coming days. Evacuation orders were expanded to more mountain
   communities as the largest blaze churned through the Sierra National
   Forest.

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