What started Friday as a small fire in central California exploded over the weekend to involve more than 65,000 acres on Monday.
SFGATE reported that the wildfire forced state Highway 166 to close.
A National Weather Service meteorologist cautioned that air quality in Southern California has already been degraded by smoke from the fire. That means bad smell and reduced visibility in Los Angeles, Kern, and Ventura counties.
The meteorologist told SFGATE that conditions later in the week will favor the fire growing in intensity rather than help fire crews put it out.
"There's potential for building heat later in the week, especially around Thursday and Friday. With that, we could see plume-dominated fire behavior become more common. That can create erratic and dangerous fire behavior as well," the meteorologist said.
The state fire authority reported Monday that over 1,000 firefighters are assigned to the wildfire. A few minor injuries have been reported.
More than 400 homes and businesses are threatened. Evacuations have been ordered for several areas around the perimeter of the fire, and warnings issued for areas farther out.
The fire broke out not far from where another wildfire broke out in early July that burned more than 80,000 acres.
California had a dozen active wildfires on Monday. Most are small and involve fewer than 100 acres. But three have burned more than 15,000 acres.
The state warns "a developing flash drought and early-season dryness" in Northern California is pushing conditions toward "critical levels faster than usual." And in the "southern Sierra and inland zones," models are "aligning for an early and active season, with elevated risk continuing into September."
Jim Mishler ✉
Jim Mishler, a seasoned reporter, anchor and news director, has decades of experience covering crime, politics and environmental issues.
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