Firefighters advance in battle against California wildfire

Firefighters have made steady progress in battling Southern California's latest destructive wildfire, which has already burned 26 homes and threatened more than 500 others in the San Jacinto Mountains.

The Silver Fire, which charred 30 square miles (19,200 acres) in three days, was 70 percent surrounded by early Sunday morning.

The fire stopped advancing Saturday as firefighters focused on extinguishing hot spots. Full containment is expected Monday.

The fire broke out on Wednesday and has injured 10 firefighters and seriously burned one civilian -- a mountain biker who was overrun by the fast-moving flames.

Though fires are common in California's warmer months, the state has seen an alarming increase in the number of wildfires this year.

So far in 2013, fire officials have battled 4,300 wildfires -- a stark increase from the yearly average of about 3,000 they faced from 2008 to 2012, Daniel Berlant, a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, told The Associated Press.

As of last week, those fires had burned 111 square miles or more than 71,000 acres, up from 40,000 acres during the same period last year. The annual average for acreage charred in the past five years was 113,000 acres, he said — roughly 177 square miles.

"We have seen a significant increase in our fire activity and much earlier than normal," Berlant said, adding that fire season began in mid-April, about a month ahead of schedule after an especially dry winter. "We're not even yet into the time period where we see the largest number of damaging fires."

Most of Southern California's severe wildfires are associated with Santa Ana winds, caused by high pressure over the West that sends a clockwise flow of air rushing down into the region.

U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), who lives in Riverside County, said climate change is setting conditions for more disastrous blazes, while budget cuts are limiting the resources to fight them.

This year, state fire officials have called up more firefighters and reserve engines on days with hot, dry conditions, Berlant said.

While state officials encouraged residents to rid their properties of dry brush before fire season started, he said authorities are now urging the public not to use lawnmowers or weed eaters during the heat of the day because a spark off the metal blades could trigger fire.

On Friday, firefighters launched a fleet of seven retardant-dropping airplanes against the wildfire.

At its peak, the Silver Fire forced the evacuation of 1,800 people, including 800 campers, but orders were lifted for many areas Friday and only a few hundred evacuees remained.

Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency in the area Friday, freeing up additional funds and resources for the firefight and recovery.

In the Twin Pines neighborhood outside the Riverside County city of Banning, Andy Schrader said he couldn't get out in time. The wildfire crept up suddenly and blew over his house, burning his motor home and singeing his hair as he sprayed water from a hose to try to keep the house wet.

"I could feel my face burning," the 74-year-old carpenter said. "And I thought I was going to die."

Al Jazeera and wires services