Calif. governor declares state of emergency


Associated Press

LOWER LAKE, CALIF.

California Gov. Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency for two major wildfires burning in Lake and San Luis Obispo counties.

The declaration issued Monday frees up state resources and temporarily sets aside regulations for fighting the fire and the recovery.

The fire in Lake County has destroyed at least 175 structures, many of them homes and businesses in the town of Lower Lake.

The blaze in San Luis Obispo County, about 180 miles northwest of Los Angeles, has destroyed 12 structures and injured two people. It grew to nearly 7 square miles and forced authorities to evacuate residents by boat when it shifted toward Lake Nacimiento on Sunday.

It was just 5 percent contained, though late in the day fire officials said no other structures were under direct threat.

Weather conditions bedeviled firefighters Monday and the forecast called for temperatures to reach the upper 90s in coming days, with no rain in sight. A heat wave and gusty winds also put Southern California on high fire alert.

Underlying it all is a five-year drought that has sapped vegetation of moisture.

For the first time in several generations, wildfire had stalked Lower Lake last year during a devastating period from the end of July through September.