Nevada firefighters keep flames away from homes

CARSON CITY, Nev. — Firefighters kept an explosive wildfire from destroying more homes in Nevada's capital Friday but warned the flames were still so intense they were burning through retardant dropped by tankers.

The 6,100-acre fire — revised from an earlier estimate of 9,200 acres — has torched at least 14 homes as drought conditions, dense smoke, whipping winds and intense flames have challenged firefighters in the hilly terrain.

In California, meanwhile, a wind-driven wildfire at the edge of the Angeles National Forest grew to more than 14,000 acres Friday, forcing hundreds to flee mountain communities. Smoke drifted 60 miles south into the Los Angeles basin.

Nevada fire crews have needed a half-mile-wide stretch of bare dirt to stop embers from spreading in the state capital, Acting Fire Chief Stacey Giomi said. The fire was listed as 30 percent contained, but officials said the figure means little because of the dry conditions.

Five people have been injured, and hundreds of homes have been saved, though they remain threatened. The low number of injuries and structure losses was "a miracle," Giomi said.

"It's still cooking pretty good," said Peter D'Aquanni of the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center in Minden. "Most (fires) are out in the wilderness where there are only a few homes. This one has had the potential to be totally catastrophic."

The toll of homes claimed by the wildfire could be as high as 16, Giomi said. One business was destroyed, along with 25 outbuildings since the blaze broke out before dawn Wednesday on the western edge of Carson City. Dozens of cars, trucks, RVs and other vehicles also burned.

Investigators believe the fire may have been started by teenagers who were in a canyon Tuesday. Several juveniles have been interviewed, Carson City Sheriff Kenny Furlong said.

The blaze destroyed exclusive homes in the canyon and at one point burned to within half a mile of — but didn't threaten — the governor's mansion.

The wildfire in California's Angeles National Forest has destroyed three homes, five outbuildings and a motorhome since it began Monday, said Anthony Polanco, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

The fire was about 36 percent contained but spreading as winds gusted up to 25 mph at edge of the Mojave Desert.

It was one of dozens of small and large wildfires in California. Karen Terrill of the California Department of Forestry said her department had found 200 fires in the last 48 hours.

"It's as dry as it's ever been for this time of year," Terrill said. "The worst is ahead of us."

In Alaska, this year's fire season became the state's third-worst on record Friday, with officials estimating that more than 3.2 million acres have burned.