More than 1,000 homes destroyed by 2 California fires

A scorched sign and homes remain on Thursday Sept. 17, 2015 in Anderson Springs, California. AP

The Lake County fire tore through 62 square miles (160 square kilometers) in 12 hours, causing thousands of residents to flee after it ignited a week ago. About 19,000 people were ordered to evacuate. The blaze had charred 116 square miles (300 square kilometers) and was 48 percent contained Saturday.

Heat was descending again on the two deadly and destructive Northern California wildfires after a few days of fair and favorable conditions, raising fears that major gains could be undone.

“We’re looking at predicted weather of 100 degrees (38 degrees Celsius) for the next couple of days, and at least mid-90s (around 35 C) throughout the weekend,” Scott Mclean, a battalion chief with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, said Friday.

That makes it essential that the smoldering remains of the two giant blazes be dealt with as quickly and thoroughly as possible, Mclean said.

“You’ve got some high temps, high winds that could stir up those ash piles and those ember piles,” he said. “We have to do that mop-up to be sure this fire goes to bed.”

A number of survivors of the Lake County fire said they never got an official evacuation notice when the danger was at its peak a week ago.

Authorities defended their warnings and rescue attempts, saying they did all they could to reach people in the remote area of homes, many prized for their privacy.

“You may get that notice, or you may not, depending on how fast that fire is moving,” Cal Fire spokeswoman Lynnette Round said. “If you can see the fire, you need to be going.”