Residents in Northern Calif. Flee Wildfires

PlusResidents in Northern Calif. Flee WildfiresResidents in Northern Calif. Flee WildfiresThe Associated PressFirefighters are working to save homes from an out-of-control wildfire in the Sierra Nevada foothills ahead of an expected wind change that could further complicate efforts to corral the blaze. (July 10)[Notes:VO--SHOTS OF FIRES AND FIREFIGHTING] THE WILDFIRES IN THESE SIERRA FOOTHILLS NINETY MILES NORTH OF SACRAMENTO HAVE ALREADY DESTROYED DOZENS OF HOMES -- AND FORCED THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS TO FLEE.EVACUATION ORDERS REMAIN IN PLACE -- BUT SOME RESIDENTS HAVE STAYED BEHIND TRYING TO KEEP THEIR PROPERTY SAFE. [Notes:SOT --DAVID MASARIK/RESIDENT]I've got a 1500 hundred gallon water tank with about 25 to 30 sprinklers throughout my property that i'm turning on and keeping everything wet. [Notes:VO--SHOTS OF FIREFIGHTING] FIREFIGHTERS ARE DEALING WITH ABOUT FIFTEEN ACTIVE FIRES IN THE COUNTY.ONE OF THE TOP CONCERNS -- A CHANGE IN THE WIND DIRECTION. [Notes:SOT--FRED BLOME/CONCOW RESIDENT]this canyon has some really nasty winds at some times...and as long as those winds hold out....i think things will get handled I hope. [Notes:VO--SHOTS OF SMOKE] THERE'S ANOTHER PROBLEM HERE -- SO MUCH SMOKE THAT GROUND CREWS ARE FIGHTING THE FIRES WITHOUT HELP FROM THE AIR. [Notes:SOT --PABLO LOPEZ/LA COUNTY FIRE DEPT.]The visibilty is so poor that i don't think they can come in and make water drops at this point.MEANWHILE -- RESIDENTS WHO ARE STAYING IN SHELTERS ARE STUCK IN A WAITING GAME. [Notes:SOT --DEBRA LAWHON/EVACUEE] It's a little nerve wracking...sitting here thinking you won't have a home....we have insurance...but that's not going to replace a lot of stuff. [Notes:VO--FIREFIGHTING]WILDFIRES ACROSS THE STATE HAVE DESTROYED ABOUT 100 HOMES AND BURNED MORE THAN 11 HUNDRED SQUARE MILES SINCE A LIGHTNING STORM INGNITED MANY OF THEM MORE THAN 2 WEEKS AGO.GOVERNOR SCHWAZENNEGGER SAYS THE CALIFORNIA'S FIREFIGHTING RESOURCES ARE STRETCHED TO THE LIMIT -- AND HE'S ASKING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR MORE HELP. ___ ___, The Associated Press.

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• wildfires
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• northern
• calif.
• flee

[basketball1136]

AT 33 THATS MY GRANDFATHER!!!!!!!

[norcallogger]

it was a freaking joke what happend up there i saw first hand what a screw up it was

[ragdump]

I went up to Flea mtn. where the fire came from that got Concow the side facing Concow was burnt to a crisp

[basketball1136]

we love you grampy fred.

[norcallogger]

there getting a hold on it now for the most part but a lot of homes where lost and a lot of land burned that dident need to burn due to mistakes and bad desicions

[RANSOMCR]

I hope they get it under control.