MOJAVE NATIONAL RESERVE, Calif. (AP) — A massive wildfire burning out of control in California’s Mojave National Preserve was spreading rapidly amid erratic winds, while firefighters reported progress against another large blaze in the Southwest prompting evacuations.
The York Fire, which broke out on Friday near the remote Carruthers Canyon on the vast prairie reservation, crossed the state line into Nevada on Sunday and sent smoke eastward into the Las Vegas Valley.
Wind-driven flames as high as 20 feet (6 meters) in some areas charred more than 110 square miles (284 square kilometers) of desert scrub, juniper forests and Joshua trees, according to an incident update. There was no containment.
“Dry fuel serves as a ready-to-ignition source, and when combined with these weather conditions, produces long distance fires and high flames, resulting in extreme fire behavior,” the update reads. No building was threatened.
To the southwest, Bonnie Fire was stationary at about 3.4 square miles (8.8 square kilometers) in the rugged hills of Riverside County. More than 1,300 people were ordered to evacuate their homes Saturday near the Aguanga community, which includes horse ranches and wineries.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said in a statement that gusty winds and the chance of thunderstorms through Monday will increase the risk of renewed growth.
One firefighter was injured in the fire, which is 5% contained.
