A brief spell of cool, damp weather had dissipated along California fire line Monday and is being replaced by a heat wave as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger activated the state's heat emergency plan and deployed dozens more "hot shot" fire crews.
"We are coordinating with state and local agencies to help keep people safe during this excessive heat wave," Schwarzenegger said in a statement. "I urge all Californians to take proper health precautions as the temperatures rise into the 90s and 100s across the state — drink plenty of water and check on your neighbors who may be more vulnerable."
Near Santa Barbara, where 3,200 homes and other structures were threatened, 100 firefighters from Arizona and New Mexico were being dropped by helicopter in the Santa Ynez Mountains or sent hiking into thin brush to slow the fire's progress.
"They're going to try to create a line around the western end," said Stanton Florea, spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service.
On Sunday, moist air currents from the ocean cooled temperatures to the high 70s Sunday, helping fire crews keep the 4-day-old blaze from spreading. The lightning-caused fire was 35 percent contained on Monday, with no estimate for full containment.
But temperatures are forecast to start climbing Monday and to reach the 100s by Thursday. The moist air currents are expected to dissipate, causing drier conditions. Lightning strikes were also possible as a new weather system moves in, forecasters said.
The National Interagency Fire Center on Monday warned that "the Western states will be very hot and dry for the next few days." America's fire status remained at 5, the highest level possible.
Source:Xinhua
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