Northern California wildfire grows, prompting evacuations

A Northern California blaze grew Tuesday, prompting more evacuations, many of them residents who had recently returned home after a nearby massive blaze first threatened their homes.

The wildfire had charred almost 22 square miles by Monday evening. It was 5 percent contained, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said.

The fire, which erupted Sunday several miles from the community of Lower Lake, almost more than doubled in size overnight despite cooler temperatures and higher humidity.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection says the fire, which erupted Sunday several miles from the community of Lower Lake, has burned nearly 19 square miles.

For the second time in two weeks, residents had to evacuate their homes because of an uncontained fire lighting up rocky hills about 100 miles north of San Francisco. Authorities couldn't say how many homes were evacuated or how many people were told to be prepared to flee. 

More than 1,100 firefighters have been battling the blaze. To date, no homes have been destroyed and no injuries reported.

Meanwhile, firefighters have nearly surrounded the larger blaze that started about two weeks ago and burned 109 square miles.

That fire destroyed 43 homes, but all evacuations have been lifted.

Fire officials are investigating the causes of both fires. There have been five arson arrests related to smaller fires in five weeks.

The Associated Press