California wildfire forces hundreds to evacuate amid heat wave

A growing wildfire in Northern California forced hundreds of people to evacuate Wednesday as a heat wave threatened to worsen conditions. In the Midwest, another blaze had residents in South Dakota’s second-largest city on alert, ready to evacuate if the flames get too close.

The wildfire in the remote California mountain community of Sierra Brooks, which has about 500 residents, was not contained. Authorities expanded evacuation orders Tuesday afternoon after strong winds sent the flames through brush and dry timber about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Lake Tahoe. The Bear Fire grew to more than 4.7 square miles (12.1 square kilometers) and sent up a plume of smoke that was visible as far as 25 miles (40 kilometers) away in Reno, Nevada.

In California, wildfire alerts have been issued for a high risk of wildfires. The desert communities of Palm Springs, Twentynine Palms, Needles and Barstow are also expected to see high temperatures, with temperatures as high as 118 degrees Fahrenheit (47.7 degrees Celsius) forecast for later this week at Frunace Creek in Death Valley.

In Santa Barbara County, officials issued a health advisory due to high temperatures in inland areas. The Health Department urged residents to stay indoors during the day and take other steps to avoid heat-related illnesses.

Fire news was more positive in South Dakota: The fight to contain a blaze was boosted Wednesday by cooler weather and calmer winds. Officials were optimistic that homes in Rapid City would be safe.

The fire was reported Monday just a few miles outside Rapid City, a community of 80,000 residents near the Black Hills National Forest. The Mount Rushmore National Memorial is about 25 miles away but well out of danger.

The fire, burning on about 160 acres (65 hectares), was fueled by unusually hot and dry weather — the high temperature Tuesday in Rapid City was 96 degrees Fahrenheit (35.6 degrees Celsius), well above the typical early September high of 75 degrees Fahrenheit (23.9 degrees Celsius). Wind gusts reached 45 mph (72 kph).

On Tuesday night, residents in an evacuation zone in Rapid City were told to pack up, grab their vital belongings and be ready to go.

By early Wednesday, the temperature was much cooler, the winds had died down and the air was more humid.

“Firefighters got a good handle on the wildfire last night,” an update from the Pennington County Fire Department said. “It is currently at 157 acres. Weather conditions are very favorable today. They are mopping up a large portion on the west side and hope to have everything contained and under control today.”