California fire threatens 1,000 buildings

A firefighter scrambles to stop a wildfire as wind drives embers across Highway 20 near Clearlake Oaks, California on July 1, 2018. AP

GUINDA, California — Firefighters battling a Northern California wildfire that threatens nearly 1,000 homes and buildings say cooler weather may help efforts to corral the flames.

The temperature was around 90 in the area on Tuesday and the high is expected to drop by about 5 degrees Wednesday.

However, state fire officials say the erratic winds and tinder-dry brush and grass fueling the explosive spread of flames can still hamper containment.

No homes have burned but some areas have been under evacuation orders for days.

The fire is burning in three rural counties northwest of Sacramento and is only 15 percent contained. The County Fire has charred 113 square miles (294 square kilometers).

Firefighters have been using aircraft, bulldozers and backfires to curb the blaze.

Wildfires fueled by hot, dry conditions are burning in several Western states. /ee