mercurynews--2020-09-11--University of Southern California professor under fire after using Chinese expression students alleg

University of Southern California professor under fire after using Chinese expression students allege sounds like English slur

A business professor at the University of Southern California became the center of an international academic controversy last weekend , after the school administration received a letter accusing him of using Chinese words that sounded like an English racial slur .
 The letter was not signed by any individuals , but instead by “ Black MBA candidates c/o 2022.
” CNN obtained a copy of the letter , but could not find an official USC group by that name or reach the letter-writers for comment .
Professor Greg Patton of USC ’ s Marshall School of Business was teaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August 20 , according to the university .
An online video recording of the call , which USC confirmed was authentic , shows Patton discussing the use of pauses while speaking , and giving an example of how Chinese speakers use filler words .
“ In China , the common word is ‘ that ’ — that , that , that , that , ” he said in the video , before using the equivalent Chinese term nei ge several times to demonstrate .
The following day , a complaint was filed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sounded like the N-word and that Patton had “ offended all of the Black members of our class.
” “ This phrase , clearly and precisely before instruction is always identified as a phonetic homonym and a racial derogatory term , and should be carefully used , especially in the context of speaking Chinese within the social context of the United States , ” according to the letter , which accused Patton of negligence .
“ The way we heard it in class was indicative of a much more hurtful word with tremendous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video of the class has since been circulated widely online , even spreading on Chinese social media , with Chinese viewers defending Patton ’ s use of the phrase and expressing confusion about why it was viewed as problematic .
A week later , Marshall School Dean Geoffrey Garrett announced that a different professor would take over teaching Patton ’ s class for the rest of the semester , in an email to students that was shared with CNN .
“ Professor Greg Patton repeated several times a Chinese word that sounds very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ English , ” said Garrett in the email .
“ Understandably , this caused great pain and upset among students , and for that I am deeply sorry .
It is simply unacceptable for faculty to use words in class that can marginalize , hurt and harm the psychological safety of our students .
We must and we will do better.
” Garrett added that he was “ deeply saddened ” by the “ disturbing episode , ” and that any students uncomfortable with staying in Patton ’ s class would have alternative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A USC Marshall spokesperson told CNN that Patton has not been suspended from teaching ; he has only stepped away from the specific course in question , and continues to teach his other classes .
“ We acknowledge the historical , cultural and harmful impact of racist language , ” said USC Marshall in a statement .
“ The faculty member agreed to take a short term pause while we are reviewing to better understand the situation and to take any appropriate next steps.
” In a subsequent letter to the USC Marshall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shared with CNN , Patton apologized for causing “ discomfort and pain.
” In the letter , Patton said former international students had given him the example of nei ge as a filler word , and he chose to use it in an attempt to be more inclusive , he said — to “ find and include many international , global , diverse , female , broad and inclusive leadership examples and illustrations to enhance communication and interpersonal skill in our global workplace.
”  ” I had not realized this negativity previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as we now have , ” he added .
The incident sparked widespread online controversy after making news headlines , with many arguing that Patton was being unfairly punished for essentially saying the word “ um ” in a different language .
In Chinese , the term nei ge or na ge literally means “ that ” or “ that one , ” and is widely used in daily speech .
It also acts as a filler word during pauses , similar to the English words “ um ” or “ like.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ academia , including those of Black and Chinese descent , blasted USC and voiced outrage on social media on Patton ’ s behalf .
Some pointed out that labeling nei ge or its pronunciation as offensive , as the USC administration seemed to do , following the letter , only makes sense within an Anglophone bubble — that doing so portrays the Chinese language as subject to English rules rather than independent and possessing its own contexts .
And though English is the United States ’ dominant language , the country doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All I can say is , the professor ’ s pronunciation of the Chinese phrase “ neige ” was accurate , and his use of it as an example of filler language was linguistically appropriate .
It ’ s a *very* common phrase , ” tweeted Yale law professor Taisu Zhang , who has previously taught in Hong Kong and China .
The Black China Caucus , an American organization that describes itself as “ amplifying Black voices in the China space , ” also defended Patton on Twitter .
“ The BCC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation , ” the organization posted .
“ Not only would a quick Mandarin lesson reveal that “ nèi ge ” is a common pronoun , but USC ’ s reaction cheapens and degrades substantive conversations surrounding real ( diversity , equity and inclusion ) challenges on college campuses !
” A petition sent to Dean Garrett and other USC leadership , which was shared with CNN , was signed by nearly 100 alumni of USC Marshall expressing support for Patton — the majority of whom are from mainland China , Hong Kong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We represent more than a dozen nationalities and ethnicities and support the global inclusiveness Professor Patton brings to the classroom , ” said the alumni petition .
“ Most of us are Chinese , some ethnically , some by nationality , and many others have spent extensive time in China .
Most of us live in China .
We unanimously recognize Prof Patton ’ s use of ‘ na ge ’ as an accurate rendition of common Chinese use , and an entirely appropriate and quite effective illustration of the use of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waves on social media across Asia ; many in Hong Kong , Taiwan and mainland China responded with disbelief , sympathy for Patton , and a fair bit of ridicule .
• Central Park birder who recorded viral clash with White woman has turned that experience into a graphic novel • Student sues CSU East Bay for election fraud with backing of NAACP , Harmeet Dhillon Numerous comments on the Chinese social media site Weibo pointed to the Chinese song “ Sunshine Rainbow Little White Horse ” by Wowkie Zhang , in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Other Weibo users echoed American criticisms that this may be an example of cultural sensitivity gone wrong , with a few comments likening the incident to “ literary inquisition , ” the historical Chinese persecution of intellectuals for their writings .
“ I ’ ve watched the video of the professor ’ s class , and read the email letter his students sent , and the statement from the school , ” one person wrote on Weibo .
“ I only want to say , this is ridiculous .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @

A business professor at the University of Southern California became the center of an international academic controversy last weekend, after the school administration received a letter accusing him of using Chinese words that sounded like an English racial slur.
The letter was not signed by any individuals, but instead by “Black MBA candidates c/o 2022.”
CNN obtained a copy of the letter, but could not find an official USC group by that name or reach the letter-writers for comment.
Professor Greg Patton of USC’s Marshall School of Business was teaching a communications class via Zoom call on August 20, according to the university. An online video recording of the call, which USC confirmed was authentic, shows Patton discussing the use of pauses while speaking, and giving an example of how Chinese speakers use filler words.
“In China, the common word is ‘that’ — that, that, that, that,” he said in the video, before using the equivalent Chinese term nei ge several times to demonstrate.
The following day, a complaint was filed to the school administration, saying the term sounded like the N-word and that Patton had “offended all of the Black members of our class.”
“This phrase, clearly and precisely before instruction is always identified as a phonetic homonym and a racial derogatory term, and should be carefully used, especially in the context of speaking Chinese within the social context of the United States,” according to the letter, which accused Patton of negligence.
“The way we heard it in class was indicative of a much more hurtful word with tremendous implications for the Black community.”
The video of the class has since been circulated widely online, even spreading on Chinese social media, with Chinese viewers defending Patton’s use of the phrase and expressing confusion about why it was viewed as problematic.
A week later, Marshall School Dean Geoffrey Garrett announced that a different professor would take over teaching Patton’s class for the rest of the semester, in an email to students that was shared with CNN.
“Professor Greg Patton repeated several times a Chinese word that sounds very similar to a vile racial slur in English,” said Garrett in the email. “Understandably, this caused great pain and upset among students, and for that I am deeply sorry. It is simply unacceptable for faculty to use words in class that can marginalize, hurt and harm the psychological safety of our students. We must and we will do better.”
Garrett added that he was “deeply saddened” by the “disturbing episode,” and that any students uncomfortable with staying in Patton’s class would have alternative options to complete their academic requirements.
A USC Marshall spokesperson told CNN that Patton has not been suspended from teaching; he has only stepped away from the specific course in question, and continues to teach his other classes.
“We acknowledge the historical, cultural and harmful impact of racist language,” said USC Marshall in a statement. “The faculty member agreed to take a short term pause while we are reviewing to better understand the situation and to take any appropriate next steps.”
In a subsequent letter to the USC Marshall graduate student executive body, which was shared with CNN, Patton apologized for causing “discomfort and pain.”
In the letter, Patton said former international students had given him the example of nei ge as a filler word, and he chose to use it in an attempt to be more inclusive, he said — to “find and include many international, global, diverse, female, broad and inclusive leadership examples and illustrations to enhance communication and interpersonal skill in our global workplace.”
”I had not realized this negativity previously or I would have replaced the example as we now have,” he added.
International controversy
The incident sparked widespread online controversy after making news headlines, with many arguing that Patton was being unfairly punished for essentially saying the word “um” in a different language.
In Chinese, the term nei ge or na ge literally means “that” or “that one,” and is widely used in daily speech. It also acts as a filler word during pauses, similar to the English words “um” or “like.”
This past week, other members of academia, including those of Black and Chinese descent, blasted USC and voiced outrage on social media on Patton’s behalf.
Some pointed out that labeling nei ge or its pronunciation as offensive, as the USC administration seemed to do, following the letter, only makes sense within an Anglophone bubble — that doing so portrays the Chinese language as subject to English rules rather than independent and possessing its own contexts.
And though English is the United States’ dominant language, the country doesn’t have an official language.
“All I can say is, the professor’s pronunciation of the Chinese phrase “neige” was accurate, and his use of it as an example of filler language was linguistically appropriate. It’s a *very* common phrase,” tweeted Yale law professor Taisu Zhang, who has previously taught in Hong Kong and China.
The Black China Caucus, an American organization that describes itself as “amplifying Black voices in the China space,” also defended Patton on Twitter.
“The BCC is shocked by how USC mishandled this situation,” the organization posted. “Not only would a quick Mandarin lesson reveal that “nèi ge” is a common pronoun, but USC’s reaction cheapens and degrades substantive conversations surrounding real (diversity, equity and inclusion) challenges on college campuses!”
A petition sent to Dean Garrett and other USC leadership, which was shared with CNN, was signed by nearly 100 alumni of USC Marshall expressing support for Patton — the majority of whom are from mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and other Chinese-speaking regions.
“We represent more than a dozen nationalities and ethnicities and support the global inclusiveness Professor Patton brings to the classroom,” said the alumni petition.
“Most of us are Chinese, some ethnically, some by nationality, and many others have spent extensive time in China. Most of us live in China. We unanimously recognize Prof Patton’s use of ‘na ge’ as an accurate rendition of common Chinese use, and an entirely appropriate and quite effective illustration of the use of pauses.”
The controversy has even made waves on social media across Asia; many in Hong Kong, Taiwan and mainland China responded with disbelief, sympathy for Patton, and a fair bit of ridicule.
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Hair relaxers have been linked to cancer among Black women, litigation says. ‘Nobody cares except us.’ Education | Contra Costa DA attempts to block publicization of new racist texts by Antioch cops Numerous comments on the Chinese social media site Weibo pointed to the Chinese song “Sunshine Rainbow Little White Horse” by Wowkie Zhang, in which nei ge is repeated throughout the chorus.
Other Weibo users echoed American criticisms that this may be an example of cultural sensitivity gone wrong, with a few comments likening the incident to “literary inquisition,” the historical Chinese persecution of intellectuals for their writings.
“I’ve watched the video of the professor’s class, and read the email letter his students sent, and the statement from the school,” one person wrote on Weibo. “I only want to say, this is ridiculous. It’s just too ridiculous.”
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mercurynews--2020-09-11--SF Giants Gameday podcast: Farhan Zaidi, Gabe Kapler have decisions to make in rotation

Giants right-hander Trevor Cahill made the start in Thursday ’ s series finale , but it was left-hander Drew Smyly who appeared better equipped to pitch deep into a ballgame and face an opposing lineup multiple times .
Cahill struggled through three innings of work , giving up four runs on five hits on a night when the Padres took an early lead and never lost control in a 6-1 Giants loss .
In his first appearance since August 1 , Smyly returned from the injured list and became the first Giants pitcher in more than 30 years to strike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The lefty consistently hit 94 miles per hour with his fastball and mixed in a sharp curveball that was reminiscent of the one Drew Pomeranz threw when the Giants moved him from the rotation to the bullpen last summer .
• Why the Giants ’ four-game series against the Padres is their biggest in four years • SF Giants Gameday podcast : Games against Padres will reveal what Giants can achieve Pomeranz found an offseason home in San Diego as a full-time reliever , but Smyly is likely to make a return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manager Gabe Kapler said Thursday the coaching staff has discussed the different ways they can deploy a versatile left-handed option such as Smyly , but it seems as if the Giants think it makes the most sense to maximize the number of innings he ’ s on the mound .
With scheduled off days set for Monday and Thursday of next week , Kapler and Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi can tinker with the rotation and adjust it however they see fit .
The Giants will play 10 games without an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the season and can insert Smyly back into the rotation while moving a pitcher such as Cahill , lefty Tyler Andrerson or rookie righty Logan Webb to the bullpen .
As Jeff Samardzija nears a return from his shoulder injury , the Giants could bring Samardzija back as either a starter or reliever , but unlike Smyly , it doesn ’ t appear it ’ s a lock for the veteran right-hander to rejoin the club .
The Giants now have a variety of options and it ’ s up to Zaidi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can best position the pitching staff to guide the club to a postseason berth .
SF Giants Gameday : Listen to the Bay Area News Group ’ s daily San Francisco Giants podcast , hosted by our beat reporter Kerry Crowley .
We give you an all-access look at the 2020 regular season with soundbites from manager Gabe Kapler and your favorite Giants players plus the latest analysis on every move during an unprecedented season .
We Need Your Support !
Several Giants articles will remain free every 30 days – and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ podcast that come Monday-Friday – but for access to all of my coverage you ’ ll need to subscribe to MercuryNews.com or EastBayTimes.com .
Click here for our latest Mercury News offer and here for the latest East Bay Times offer .
Thank you !
— Kerry Crowley

Giants right-hander Trevor Cahill made the start in Thursday’s series finale, but it was left-hander Drew Smyly who appeared better equipped to pitch deep into a ballgame and face an opposing lineup multiple times.
Cahill struggled through three innings of work, giving up four runs on five hits on a night when the Padres took an early lead and never lost control in a 6-1 Giants loss.
In his first appearance since August 1, Smyly returned from the injured list and became the first Giants pitcher in more than 30 years to strike out at least eight batters in relief. The lefty consistently hit 94 miles per hour with his fastball and mixed in a sharp curveball that was reminiscent of the one Drew Pomeranz threw when the Giants moved him from the rotation to the bullpen last summer.
Pomeranz found an offseason home in San Diego as a full-time reliever, but Smyly is likely to make a return to the Giants’ starting rotation. Manager Gabe Kapler said Thursday the coaching staff has discussed the different ways they can deploy a versatile left-handed option such as Smyly, but it seems as if the Giants think it makes the most sense to maximize the number of innings he’s on the mound.
With scheduled off days set for Monday and Thursday of next week, Kapler and Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi can tinker with the rotation and adjust it however they see fit. The Giants will play 10 games without an off day over the final 10 games of the season and can insert Smyly back into the rotation while moving a pitcher such as Cahill, lefty Tyler Andrerson or rookie righty Logan Webb to the bullpen.
As Jeff Samardzija nears a return from his shoulder injury, the Giants could bring Samardzija back as either a starter or reliever, but unlike Smyly, it doesn’t appear it’s a lock for the veteran right-hander to rejoin the club.
The Giants now have a variety of options and it’s up to Zaidi and Kapler to figure out how they can best position the pitching staff to guide the club to a postseason berth.
SF Giants Gameday: Listen to the Bay Area News Group’s daily San Francisco Giants podcast, hosted by our beat reporter Kerry Crowley. We give you an all-access look at the 2020 regular season with soundbites from manager Gabe Kapler and your favorite Giants players plus the latest analysis on every move during an unprecedented season.
We Need Your Support!
Several Giants articles will remain free every 30 days – and I’ve launched a free newsletter and podcast that come Monday-Friday – but for access to all of my coverage you’ll need to subscribe to MercuryNews.com or EastBayTimes.com. Click here for our latest Mercury News offer and here for the latest East Bay Times offer. Thank you! — Kerry Crowley


mercurynews--2020-09-11--Dolan Fire near Big Sur grows, injured firefighters improve, winds move smoke north

MONTEREY — The Dolan Fire grew Thursday as crews worked to secure the north and south ends while southerly winds were expected to shift the smoke northward degrading air quality , but the status of firefighters injured earlier this week provided good news .
“ Two of the firefighters involved in the shelter deployment have been released from the hospital and the third is in stable condition and will be released this week , ” said Rob Allen , incident commander , in a press release .
On Tuesday , a shelter deployment involving 15 firefighters from the Dolan Fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the vicinity of Nacimiento Station , receiving injuries including burns and smoke inhalation .
The Dolan Fire continues to grow on its north and east flanks as winds in the area are forecast to continue to come from the south/southeast degrading air quality for the Monterey and Salinas areas to unhealthy levels .
On Thursday , north side crews scouted for opportunities to secure the fire ’ s edge down to North Coast Road .
Along the south edge , firefighters continued burnout operations using dozer lines and air support to connect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aimed to secure structures in Mill Creek and worked from Kern Ridge down to Highway 1 .
Firefighters cleaned up and secured the edge around recent firing operations near Hermitage to protect structures and continued constructing indirect line east of Arroyo Seco and tied back to Lees Canyon to Fort Hunter Liggett .
The Dolan Fire is now under unified command with Fort Hunter Liggett .
According to the U.S. Forest Service Air Quality Response Program , winds are forecast to come from the south and southeast into Friday providing communities south of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but areas north of the fire including Salinas , Monterey , Carmel Valley , Soledad , King City and Big Sur , having their air quality degraded with fire growth , along with downslope and southerly winds , taking levels in those areas to “ unhealthy for sensitive groups ” and “ unhealthy.
” The northern fire lines were tested by the southern winds and held .
The marine layer of about 1,500 feet has brought cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity levels , moderating fire activity below about 1,400 feet .
Cal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County that wildfire smoke continues to drift into Monterey County from fires as far as 100 miles away .
Skies over the Monterey and Salinas areas on Wednesday were disconcertingly dark and orange as a thick layer of smoke , pushed by northerly winds from fires throughout Northern California , reached altitudes above the deep marine layer , filtering sunlight through both .
Thursday ’ s daylight was not as orange but still affected by the marine layer moving inland and higher elevation smoke that is now moving northward .
• Map : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the San Gabriel Mountains • Bobcat fire still burning out of control in San Gabriel Mountains , nearly 24,000 acres burned with 0 % containment • Seven new deaths reported in Butte County wildfire • Bay Area smoke : To breathe safely , stay inside and don ’ t count on masks The Monterey County Sheriff ’ s Office has mandatory evacuation orders for Lucia , South Coast Ridge Road , Gorda and Prewitt Ridge and evacuation warnings for Partington and Salmon Creek .
For current evacuation information go to the Monterey County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dolan Fire started Aug. 18 by a suspected arsonist .
It has burned more than 111,000 acres and is 26 % contained .
There is 793 personnel fighting the blaze , which has destroyed 14 structures and damaged four others .
The fire has closed Highway 1 from north of Vista Point south to Pacific Valley , Nacimiento-Fergusson Road from Highway 1 to the Fort Hunter-Liggett base boundary line and limited access to Los Burros Road , Plaskett Ridge Road and South Coast Ridge Road to residents only .

MONTEREY — The Dolan Fire grew Thursday as crews worked to secure the north and south ends while southerly winds were expected to shift the smoke northward degrading air quality, but the status of firefighters injured earlier this week provided good news.
“Two of the firefighters involved in the shelter deployment have been released from the hospital and the third is in stable condition and will be released this week,” said Rob Allen, incident commander, in a press release.
On Tuesday, a shelter deployment involving 15 firefighters from the Dolan Fire occurred when they were entrapped by flames in the vicinity of Nacimiento Station, receiving injuries including burns and smoke inhalation.
The Dolan Fire continues to grow on its north and east flanks as winds in the area are forecast to continue to come from the south/southeast degrading air quality for the Monterey and Salinas areas to unhealthy levels.
On Thursday, north side crews scouted for opportunities to secure the fire’s edge down to North Coast Road. Along the south edge, firefighters continued burnout operations using dozer lines and air support to connect the line protecting Prewitt Ridge. Crews aimed to secure structures in Mill Creek and worked from Kern Ridge down to Highway 1. Firefighters cleaned up and secured the edge around recent firing operations near Hermitage to protect structures and continued constructing indirect line east of Arroyo Seco and tied back to Lees Canyon to Fort Hunter Liggett.
The Dolan Fire is now under unified command with Fort Hunter Liggett.
According to the U.S. Forest Service Air Quality Response Program, winds are forecast to come from the south and southeast into Friday providing communities south of the Dolan Fire with good air quality but areas north of the fire including Salinas, Monterey, Carmel Valley, Soledad, King City and Big Sur, having their air quality degraded with fire growth, along with downslope and southerly winds, taking levels in those areas to “unhealthy for sensitive groups” and “unhealthy.”
The northern fire lines were tested by the southern winds and held.
The marine layer of about 1,500 feet has brought cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity levels, moderating fire activity below about 1,400 feet.
Cal Fire issued a smoke advisory for Monterey County that wildfire smoke continues to drift into Monterey County from fires as far as 100 miles away.
Skies over the Monterey and Salinas areas on Wednesday were disconcertingly dark and orange as a thick layer of smoke, pushed by northerly winds from fires throughout Northern California, reached altitudes above the deep marine layer, filtering sunlight through both. Thursday’s daylight was not as orange but still affected by the marine layer moving inland and higher elevation smoke that is now moving northward.
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The Dolan Fire started Aug. 18 by a suspected arsonist. It has burned more than 111,000 acres and is 26% contained. There is 793 personnel fighting the blaze, which has destroyed 14 structures and damaged four others. The fire has closed Highway 1 from north of Vista Point south to Pacific Valley, Nacimiento-Fergusson Road from Highway 1 to the Fort Hunter-Liggett base boundary line and limited access to Los Burros Road, Plaskett Ridge Road and South Coast Ridge Road to residents only.


mercurynews--2020-09-11--3 Northern California wildfires merge; August Complex now largest in California history

RED BLUFF — The Elkhorn Fire merged Wednesday with the Hopkins and Willow Basin fires and stood at 255,309 acres and 27 percent containment as of late Wednesday night .
The merged fire , now called Elkhorn , is burning on the Mendocino , Shasta-Trinity and Six Rivers National Forests and western Tehama County , with containment on the eastern edge as of Thursday morning .
The air quality in Tehama County was in the very unhealthy range Thursday morning , according to a press release issued by Tehama County Air Pollution Control District .
“ We expect to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tehama County , ” the release said .
“ Conditions will most likely vary from unhealthy for sensitive groups to hazardous over short periods of time as smoke from wildland fires in the North State drifts over Tehama County.
” Active children and adults , and people with respiratory disease , such as asthma , should avoid all outdoor exertion .
Everyone else , especially children , should limit outdoor exertion .
Persons experiencing questionable or severe symptoms should seek professional medical advice .
The Elkhorn fire has also merged with a larger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the August Complex .
Though they touch , a division line was drawn to allow the two to be worked as separate incidents .
Together , they totaled more than 745,000 acres ( 1165 square miles ) Thursday night .
The August Complex , in the Mendocino National Forest , was at 471,185 acres and 24 percent containment Thursday morning , according to a press release issued by the U.S. Forest Service .
Northeast winds continued through most of the day Wednesday and there was significant fire spread from increased fire activity on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with heavy smoke production across the area .
• Map : Where the Bobcat fire is burning in the San Gabriel Mountains • Bobcat fire still burning out of control in San Gabriel Mountains , nearly 24,000 acres burned with 0 % containment • Seven new deaths reported in Butte County wildfire • Bay Area smoke : To breathe safely , stay inside and don ’ t count on masks The growth makes the August Complex the largest wildfire in state history .
The Great Basin Incident Management Team took over management of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant winds , the fire quickly crossed the Black Butte River , continuing beyond the M1 Road late Tuesday .
Firefighters worked diligently on structure protection as the fire progressed , but there were structures burned during the last two days .
The number of structures was unknown Thursday .
For specific questions related to cabin access , call the forest service at 934-3316 .
The National Weather Service has forecast highs in the low 90s and lows in the mid 60s over the coming days with light winds ranging from 3-13 mph @ @ @

RED BLUFF — The Elkhorn Fire merged Wednesday with the Hopkins and Willow Basin fires and stood at 255,309 acres and 27 percent containment as of late Wednesday night.
The merged fire, now called Elkhorn, is burning on the Mendocino, Shasta-Trinity and Six Rivers National Forests and western Tehama County, with containment on the eastern edge as of Thursday morning.
The air quality in Tehama County was in the very unhealthy range Thursday morning, according to a press release issued by Tehama County Air Pollution Control District.
“We expect to see higher concentrations in the southwestern portions of Tehama County,” the release said. “Conditions will most likely vary from unhealthy for sensitive groups to hazardous over short periods of time as smoke from wildland fires in the North State drifts over Tehama County.”
Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid all outdoor exertion. Everyone else, especially children, should limit outdoor exertion. Persons experiencing questionable or severe symptoms should seek professional medical advice.
The Elkhorn fire has also merged with a larger fire to the south being managed as the August Complex. Though they touch, a division line was drawn to allow the two to be worked as separate incidents. Together, they totaled more than 745,000 acres (1165 square miles) Thursday night.
The August Complex, in the Mendocino National Forest, was at 471,185 acres and 24 percent containment Thursday morning, according to a press release issued by the U.S. Forest Service. Northeast winds continued through most of the day Wednesday and there was significant fire spread from increased fire activity on the west side of the fire, with heavy smoke production across the area. Related Articles Crashes and Disasters | Map: Lightning fires prompt evacuation order west of Yreka
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The growth makes the August Complex the largest wildfire in state history. The Great Basin Incident Management Team took over management of the fire Friday morning.
Due to significant winds, the fire quickly crossed the Black Butte River, continuing beyond the M1 Road late Tuesday. Firefighters worked diligently on structure protection as the fire progressed, but there were structures burned during the last two days. The number of structures was unknown Thursday. For specific questions related to cabin access, call the forest service at 934-3316.
The National Weather Service has forecast highs in the low 90s and lows in the mid 60s over the coming days with light winds ranging from 3-13 mph through Friday.


mercurynews--2020-09-11--Seven found dead, bringing Butte County wildfire death toll to 10

OROVILLE —Firefighters defended structures and worked to push back flames near Oroville throughout Thursday , as the North Complex West Zone Fire — which has now claimed a known total of 10 lives — grew without containment .
According to a Cal Fire-Butte County briefing at 6 p.m. Thursday , the fire in Butte County has burned 65,295 acres and remains at 0 % containment .
Seven more individuals were found deceased , bringing the total death toll to 10 , according to the Butte County Sheriff ’ s Office .
Of 124 welfare check requests , the department located @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16 still missing .
Damage assessments will begin Friday for more information on what structures in the fire ’ s perimeter have been damaged or destroyed , although the department could not provide more detailed information on the routes and strategy used to assess all properties .
Fire weather has moderated but continues to be driven by fuels in the area .
Fire Chief John Messina said the main focus is protecting structures , which means fire still has the potential to spread rapidly while lines remain open .
Operations Section Chief Shane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ historic ” run which began Tuesday has made it “ impossible to fight directly.
” Fuel in the area including timber and brush is heavy , and crews have difficulty suppressing the flames due to terrain which was brought to critical dry levels due to the long , “ very warm ” summer .
While the Kelly Ridge area “ has not been impacted , ” until crews can finish work on the Stringtown Road area , the region is not out of danger , he said .
One evacuation order for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Oakvale Avenue has been updated to an evacuation warning .
All other sections of the area remain under evacuation orders .
Thick smoke is expected to continue , which will keep temperatures cooler and winds low , but will limit visibility for any aircraft aiding ground firefighting .
As of 4 p.m. Thursday the U.S. Forest Service said the North Complex fires , which include the Claremont and Bear fires , had grown to 247,358 acres and was 23 percent contained .
Oroville is still threatened , according to Cal Fire-Butte County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fire-Butte County around noon Thursday , Operations Section Chief Monty Smith said in the south Berry Creek area crews are “ still actively engaged in structure defense … trying to cut it out to keep the fire progression out of the structures.
” Firefighters are up against steep , rugged terrain along the corridor , Smith said .
Wednesday ’ s erratic fire weather resulted in a Cal Fire-Butte County hand crew being “ overrun ” by flames , according to a release from Rick Carhart as of 2:52 p.m. Thursday .
Unstable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fire to become “ extremely unpredictable very quickly.
” The crew escaped “ virtually unharmed ” except for two minor injuries , according to the release .
The incident is currently under review .
Crews are also watching conditions due to some residents who did not leave during the evacuation order .
In a 9:30 a.m. press release , the evacuation warning for Zone 14 in Paradise was lifted , but town officials stress that “ fire activity on the west side of the Bear Fire will require residents to remain vigilant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is “ still no fire in the town of Paradise , no fire in Concow , and according to Cal Fire there is no current threat to the town of Paradise.
” All power has been restored in Paradise as well , so traffic signals are once again working following PG & E ’ s public safety power shut-off .
Fire crews worked overnight Wednesday to protect threatened communities , keep the fire in its current footprint and tackling spot blazes on the Bear Fire , as evacuations and evacuation warnings remained in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place Thursday morning for Feather Falls , Clipper Mills , Berry Creek , Brush Creek , Forbestown , Kelly Ridge and Copley Acres .
Also under evacuation orders are residents east of Miners Ranch Road at Highway 162 and Oro-Bangor Road , which includes Bangor and parts of Mt .
Ida , and Highway 70 at Cherokee Rd south to Thompson Flat Cemetery Road , and all points east to Lake Oroville .
A Thursday morning Cal Fire-Butte County report indicated that 2,000 structures had been destroyed and that 22,356 were threatened .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Butte County Fairgrounds in Gridley and Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds in Yuba City .
Fire crews number 1,615 people , along with 61 engines , 44 water tenders , eight helicopters , 49 hand crews and 42 bulldozers .
Out of state resources include teams from Michigan , Utah , New Mexico and Canada .
A map on the Butte County Sheriff ’ s Office Facebook page indicates the outline of the Bear Fire evacuated area .
Cal Fire-Butte County indicated on its Facebook page that a damage inspection team would be working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unclear when that inspection would start .
• Map : Where the Bobcat fire is burning in the San Gabriel Mountains • Bobcat fire still burning out of control in San Gabriel Mountains , nearly 24,000 acres burned with 0 % containment • Seven new deaths reported in Butte County wildfire • Bay Area smoke : To breathe safely , stay inside and don ’ t count on masks “ For those asking about a specific property or area , we are unable to provide that information at this time .
We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the entire fire area and get accurate assessments of every structure affected .
This process will take some time but is the only way to get the most accurate information to the public.
” Closures of 18 national forests in California , including the Plumas National Forest , will continue .
Inquiry numbers on the Butte County Sheriff ’ s Facebook page are Butte Information Line at 538-7826 and Plumas Information Line at 316-4487 .

OROVILLE —Firefighters defended structures and worked to push back flames near Oroville throughout Thursday, as the North Complex West Zone Fire — which has now claimed a known total of 10 lives — grew without containment.
According to a Cal Fire-Butte County briefing at 6 p.m. Thursday, the fire in Butte County has burned 65,295 acres and remains at 0% containment.
Seven more individuals were found deceased, bringing the total death toll to 10, according to the Butte County Sheriff’s Office. Of 124 welfare check requests, the department located 98 as of Thursday night, with 16 still missing.
Damage assessments will begin Friday for more information on what structures in the fire’s perimeter have been damaged or destroyed, although the department could not provide more detailed information on the routes and strategy used to assess all properties.
Fire weather has moderated but continues to be driven by fuels in the area. Fire Chief John Messina said the main focus is protecting structures, which means fire still has the potential to spread rapidly while lines remain open.
Operations Section Chief Shane Lauderdale said the fire’s “historic” run which began Tuesday has made it “impossible to fight directly.” Fuel in the area including timber and brush is heavy, and crews have difficulty suppressing the flames due to terrain which was brought to critical dry levels due to the long, “very warm” summer.
While the Kelly Ridge area “has not been impacted,” until crews can finish work on the Stringtown Road area, the region is not out of danger, he said. One evacuation order for the section of the area from Foothill Boulevard to Oakvale Avenue has been updated to an evacuation warning. All other sections of the area remain under evacuation orders.
Thick smoke is expected to continue, which will keep temperatures cooler and winds low, but will limit visibility for any aircraft aiding ground firefighting.
As of 4 p.m. Thursday the U.S. Forest Service said the North Complex fires, which include the Claremont and Bear fires, had grown to 247,358 acres and was 23 percent contained. Oroville is still threatened, according to Cal Fire-Butte County.
In a Facebook update from Cal Fire-Butte County around noon Thursday, Operations Section Chief Monty Smith said in the south Berry Creek area crews are “still actively engaged in structure defense … trying to cut it out to keep the fire progression out of the structures.”
Firefighters are up against steep, rugged terrain along the corridor, Smith said.
Wednesday’s erratic fire weather resulted in a Cal Fire-Butte County hand crew being “overrun” by flames, according to a release from Rick Carhart as of 2:52 p.m. Thursday. Unstable weather patterns and dry fuel conditions caused the fire to become “extremely unpredictable very quickly.”
The crew escaped “virtually unharmed” except for two minor injuries, according to the release. The incident is currently under review.
Crews are also watching conditions due to some residents who did not leave during the evacuation order.
Paradise
In a 9:30 a.m. press release, the evacuation warning for Zone 14 in Paradise was lifted, but town officials stress that “fire activity on the west side of the Bear Fire will require residents to remain vigilant for changes.”
Town officials reported there is “still no fire in the town of Paradise, no fire in Concow, and according to Cal Fire there is no current threat to the town of Paradise.”
All power has been restored in Paradise as well, so traffic signals are once again working following PG&E’s public safety power shut-off.
Evacuations
Fire crews worked overnight Wednesday to protect threatened communities, keep the fire in its current footprint and tackling spot blazes on the Bear Fire, as evacuations and evacuation warnings remained in place. Evacuation orders were still in place Thursday morning for Feather Falls, Clipper Mills, Berry Creek, Brush Creek, Forbestown, Kelly Ridge and Copley Acres.
Also under evacuation orders are residents east of Miners Ranch Road at Highway 162 and Oro-Bangor Road, which includes Bangor and parts of Mt. Ida, and Highway 70 at Cherokee Rd south to Thompson Flat Cemetery Road, and all points east to Lake Oroville.
A Thursday morning Cal Fire-Butte County report indicated that 2,000 structures had been destroyed and that 22,356 were threatened.
Temporary evacuation points are still in place at the Butte County Fairgrounds in Gridley and Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds in Yuba City.
Fire crews number 1,615 people, along with 61 engines, 44 water tenders, eight helicopters, 49 hand crews and 42 bulldozers.
Damage inspection work ahead
Out of state resources include teams from Michigan, Utah, New Mexico and Canada.
A map on the Butte County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page indicates the outline of the Bear Fire evacuated area. Cal Fire-Butte County indicated on its Facebook page that a damage inspection team would be working the fire area, but it was unclear when that inspection would start.
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Living with air pollution, especially from wildfires or agriculture, raises risk of dementia, US study finds Crashes and Disasters | Cadaver dogs are in Maui to help find the dead. Here’s how it works and why it’s difficult “For those asking about a specific property or area, we are unable to provide that information at this time. We have a Damage Inspection Team preparing to go through the entire fire area and get accurate assessments of every structure affected. This process will take some time but is the only way to get the most accurate information to the public.”
Closures of 18 national forests in California, including the Plumas National Forest, will continue.
Inquiry numbers on the Butte County Sheriff’s Facebook page are Butte Information Line at 538-7826 and Plumas Information Line at 316-4487.


mercurynews--2020-09-11--Oregon veteran to stand trial for Santa Cruz County carjacking, ocean crash case

SANTA CRUZ — The Oregon veteran accused of an armed carjacking north of Davenport and subsequent car chase ending in the ocean will face trial , a Santa Cruz County Superior Court judge ruled Wednesday .
Judge Paul Burdick ordered John Kenyanjui , 56 , to face 13 charges — several newly filed by the Santa Cruz County District Attorney ’ s Office this month — after a preliminary hearing related to the June 30 incident .
Kenyanjui , with close-cropped salt-and-pepper hair , animatedly shook his head alternately in agreement or disagreement as several Santa Cruz County Sheriff ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the hearing Wednesday afternoon .
He told law enforcement after his arrest that he served for 20 years in the U.S. Air Force , according to testimony .
Wearing dark pants , a light blue shirt and a blue surgical mask , Kenyanjui regularly scrawled notes to his defense attorney on a yellow legal pad , prompting her to ask additional questions of witnesses .
According to deputies ’ testimony based on witness interviews , Kenyajui stood with what appeared to be a gun in the middle of Highway 1 north of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beach , around 3 p.m .
There , he stopped passing vehicles and ordered drivers to get out of their cars , telling him he did not want to hurt them .
After Kenyanjui reportedly stopped one vehicle and threatened its driver with a gun , the driver ’ s mother exited the passenger side of her vehicle and told her daughter to take her grandson and keep going without her .
The grandmother later said , “ If someone was going to get shot , she ’ d rather it be her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” a deputy testified .
A recording from another driver ’ s dashcam revealed Kenyanjui talking to the passenger and saying , “ Why did you do that ?
, ” according to testimony .
After approaching several other vehicles , Kenyanjui allegedly forced the driver of a Honda Civic , headed southbound , out of her car .
The driver told a deputy she heard someone yell to get down , he has a gun .
She said she then crouched down while continuing to drive and tried to back up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approached .
He told her that “ I don ’ t want to shoot you but get out of your car , ” Deputy Kristopher Koenig testified .
Kenyanjui reportedly left Lopez on the side of the road after throwing her cell phone out the window , taking her car , purse and laptop , Koenig said .
Later , a passing car gave the woman a ride to Davenport .
No one was shot , hit or otherwise injured during the incident , according to testimony .
Kenyanjui reportedly told investigators that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though several witnesses reported hearing gunshots .
Neither the gun nor shell casings were recovered by investigators , according to testimony .
Kenyanjui ’ s next hearing is set for Sept. 23 .

SANTA CRUZ — The Oregon veteran accused of an armed carjacking north of Davenport and subsequent car chase ending in the ocean will face trial, a Santa Cruz County Superior Court judge ruled Wednesday.
Judge Paul Burdick ordered John Kenyanjui, 56, to face 13 charges — several newly filed by the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office this month — after a preliminary hearing related to the June 30 incident.
Kenyanjui, with close-cropped salt-and-pepper hair, animatedly shook his head alternately in agreement or disagreement as several Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to testify in the hearing Wednesday afternoon. He told law enforcement after his arrest that he served for 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, according to testimony. Wearing dark pants, a light blue shirt and a blue surgical mask, Kenyanjui regularly scrawled notes to his defense attorney on a yellow legal pad, prompting her to ask additional questions of witnesses.
According to deputies’ testimony based on witness interviews, Kenyajui stood with what appeared to be a gun in the middle of Highway 1 north of Davenport, between Scott Creek and Waddell Beach, around 3 p.m. There, he stopped passing vehicles and ordered drivers to get out of their cars, telling him he did not want to hurt them. After Kenyanjui reportedly stopped one vehicle and threatened its driver with a gun, the driver’s mother exited the passenger side of her vehicle and told her daughter to take her grandson and keep going without her. The grandmother later said, “If someone was going to get shot, she’d rather it be her than one of her other family members,” a deputy testified.
A recording from another driver’s dashcam revealed Kenyanjui talking to the passenger and saying, “Why did you do that?,” according to testimony.
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Suspected North Coast carjacker ends pursuit with Santa Cruz cliff dive Crime and Public Safety | Arraignment delayed in Santa Cruz County carjacking, ocean crash case After approaching several other vehicles, Kenyanjui allegedly forced the driver of a Honda Civic, headed southbound, out of her car. The driver told a deputy she heard someone yell to get down, he has a gun. She said she then crouched down while continuing to drive and tried to back up in order to turn around when Kenyanjui approached. He told her that “I don’t want to shoot you but get out of your car,” Deputy Kristopher Koenig testified.
Kenyanjui reportedly left Lopez on the side of the road after throwing her cell phone out the window, taking her car, purse and laptop, Koenig said. Later, a passing car gave the woman a ride to Davenport.
No one was shot, hit or otherwise injured during the incident, according to testimony. Kenyanjui reportedly told investigators that the gun was a realistic-looking replica, though several witnesses reported hearing gunshots. Neither the gun nor shell casings were recovered by investigators, according to testimony.
Kenyanjui’s next hearing is set for Sept. 23.


mercurynews--2020-09-11--Judge grants injunction prohibiting California church from holding indoor services

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge on Thursday , Sept. 10 , granted the county ’ s request for an injunction prohibiting Grace Community Church in Sun Valley from holding indoor services in a ruling that emphasized the importance of following health orders to prevent the community spread of the coronavirus .
After hearing arguments Friday from attorneys for the county and the church , Judge Mitchell Beckloff ruled that Grace Community Church and its pastor , John MacArthur , are prohibited from conducting indoor worship services in violation of county health orders .
The judge also ruled that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services unless it fully complies with the county ’ s mandates relating to physical distancing and face coverings .
The megachurch has been holding services for at least five weeks in defiance of county and state orders that allow houses of worship to gather outdoors only with social distancing and face coverings .
Its actions have led to a legal battle being watched by religious communities nationwide as they continue to limit in-person worship during the pandemic .
A vast majority of congregations in Southern California have resorted to online-only worship in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials issued a statement Thursday saying they are grateful to the court for granting their request for a preliminary injunction and that they are looking forward to working with Grace Community Church to ensure compliance .
“ We now look forward to working with church leaders on a plan to move services outdoors with physical distancing and the use of face coverings , which will allow worshipers to gather for religious observances in a manner that is lower risk and consistent with public health directives , ” the statement said .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Church officials did not respond to a request for comment .
County officials said violating a court order is a serious offense that can result in a variety of penalties , including being held in contempt .
The church will have the option to appeal the decision .
The church ’ s attorneys , associated with the Thomas More Society , argued during Friday ’ s hearing that the congregation has been following current safety precautions such as distancing and wearing masks , that they have no reported cases of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constitutional rights are being violated by the health order .
Attorney Jenna Ellis argued that the government ’ s powers are not absolute and that that people would never have liberty if public safety were to always outweigh liberty .
Ellis also is a senior legal advisor for President Donald Trump ’ s re-election campaign .
The church ’ s attorneys also said the county was basing its mandates on “ unsubstantiated opinion ” that has no basis in facts .
During an Aug. 16 indoor church service that was held in defiance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live online , MacArthur welcomed his congregants with these statements : “ The good news is you ’ re here .
You ’ re not distancing and you ’ re not wearing masks .
It ’ s also good news that you ’ re not outside because it ’ s very hot out there .
So the Lord knew you had to be inside and unmasked .
He did us that gracious favor.
” The court ’ s ruling stated that it found the county ’ s health order “ has a real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety ” and that given the number of cases and deaths in Los Angeles County , there is enough evidence to show the need to slow the spread of the virus .
The court also found that the county ’ s health order does not violate the U.S. or California constitutions because it doesn ’ t exclusively target houses of worship or religious practices , but rather limits in-person religious worship to outdoor gatherings .
Also , the ruling states that the county ’ s health order applies not just to religious worship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ congregate indoors for long periods of time , such as lounges , nightclubs , bars , movie theaters , live performance theaters , concert venues , theme parks , indoor dining , museums , zoos , aquariums and festivals .
The court said that in this case , it found “ the balance of harms tips in favor of the county.
” “ The potential consequences of community spread of COVID-19 and the concomitant risk of death to members of the community — associated and unassociated with the church — outweighs the harm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worship caused by the county health order .
”

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge on Thursday, Sept. 10, granted the county’s request for an injunction prohibiting Grace Community Church in Sun Valley from holding indoor services in a ruling that emphasized the importance of following health orders to prevent the community spread of the coronavirus.
After hearing arguments Friday from attorneys for the county and the church, Judge Mitchell Beckloff ruled that Grace Community Church and its pastor, John MacArthur, are prohibited from conducting indoor worship services in violation of county health orders. The judge also ruled that the church must not conduct any outdoor worship services unless it fully complies with the county’s mandates relating to physical distancing and face coverings.
The megachurch has been holding services for at least five weeks in defiance of county and state orders that allow houses of worship to gather outdoors only with social distancing and face coverings. Its actions have led to a legal battle being watched by religious communities nationwide as they continue to limit in-person worship during the pandemic. A vast majority of congregations in Southern California have resorted to online-only worship in the face of restrictive state orders.
County grateful for ruling
County officials issued a statement Thursday saying they are grateful to the court for granting their request for a preliminary injunction and that they are looking forward to working with Grace Community Church to ensure compliance.
“We now look forward to working with church leaders on a plan to move services outdoors with physical distancing and the use of face coverings, which will allow worshipers to gather for religious observances in a manner that is lower risk and consistent with public health directives,” the statement said. “This protects worshipers and the entire county community.”
Church officials did not respond to a request for comment.
County officials said violating a court order is a serious offense that can result in a variety of penalties, including being held in contempt. The church will have the option to appeal the decision.
The church’s attorneys, associated with the Thomas More Society, argued during Friday’s hearing that the congregation has been following current safety precautions such as distancing and wearing masks, that they have no reported cases of the virus, and that the church’s constitutional rights are being violated by the health order.
Attorney Jenna Ellis argued that the government’s powers are not absolute and that that people would never have liberty if public safety were to always outweigh liberty. Ellis also is a senior legal advisor for President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign. The church’s attorneys also said the county was basing its mandates on “unsubstantiated opinion” that has no basis in facts.
During an Aug. 16 indoor church service that was held in defiance of an appellate court order and broadcast live online, MacArthur welcomed his congregants with these statements: “The good news is you’re here. You’re not distancing and you’re not wearing masks. It’s also good news that you’re not outside because it’s very hot out there. So the Lord knew you had to be inside and unmasked. He did us that gracious favor.”
The court’s ruling stated that it found the county’s health order “has a real and substantial relationship to public health and safety” and that given the number of cases and deaths in Los Angeles County, there is enough evidence to show the need to slow the spread of the virus.
Health order constitutional
The court also found that the county’s health order does not violate the U.S. or California constitutions because it doesn’t exclusively target houses of worship or religious practices, but rather limits in-person religious worship to outdoor gatherings. Also, the ruling states that the county’s health order applies not just to religious worship, but to all activities where people congregate indoors for long periods of time, such as lounges, nightclubs, bars, movie theaters, live performance theaters, concert venues, theme parks, indoor dining, museums, zoos, aquariums and festivals.
The court said that in this case, it found “the balance of harms tips in favor of the county.”
“The potential consequences of community spread of COVID-19 and the concomitant risk of death to members of the community — associated and unassociated with the church — outweighs the harm that flows from the restriction on indoor worship caused by the county health order.”


mercurynews--2020-09-11--Map: Where the Bobcat fire is burning in the San Gabriel Mountains

The Bobcat fire continues to burn in the Angeles National Forest , north of Azusa as of Thursday afternoon , @ @ @ @ @ was reported at 12:22 a.m. Sunday near the Cogswell Dam and West Fork Day Use @ @

The Bobcat fire continues to burn in the Angeles National Forest, north of Azusa as of Thursday afternoon, Sept. 10.
The fire was reported at 12:22 a.m. Sunday near the Cogswell Dam and West Fork Day Use area.


mercurynews--2020-09-11--Bobcat fire still burning out of control in San Gabriel Mountains, nearly 24,000 acres burned with 0

Bobcat fire still burning out of control in San Gabriel Mountains, nearly 24,000 acres burned with 0% containment

The Bobcat fire burning in the Angeles National Forest north of Monrovia was still spreading out of control on Thursday , Sept. 10 , as firefighters contended with powerful winds .
The fire has burned 23,890 acres of pristine forest lands , Calfire officials said .
It was 6 % contained on Thursday , with full containment not expected until mid-October .
The Bobcat was most active near the Cogswell Reservoir , a fishing and camping spot about seven and a half miles west of Highway 39 .
Los Angeles County Fire Department officials said the fire had reached the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ push ” on Wednesday , aided by intense winds .
MAP : This is where the Bobcat fire is burning in the San Gabriel Mountains “ The fire behavior was very active to extreme with long-range spotting , tree torching , and visible slope runs , ” the officials said in a statement .
The blaze was mostly spreading north and deeper into the forest , Angeles National Forest spokesman Andrew Mitchell said .
No buildings had been destroyed so far , but some homes were as close to 1.5 miles from flames @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Fire along the foothills above Monrovia and Azusa could be seen by residents in nearby communities .
Measures are in place in case the flames begin to threaten homes .
“ It ’ s unlikely to become an issue unless we get a really dramatic shift in winds , ” Mitchell said .
“ It would also still has to climb up and down the ridges , and we ’ ve also managed to secure a defensive line with dozers and flame retardant.
” Smoke cover from the fire lifted enough at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bring in aircraft to help crews on the ground .
More than 530 firefighting personnel were working to contain the blaze on Thursday .
Officials said two air tankers , including a DC-10 , made fire retardant drops throughout the day .
A sky-crane helicopter and two crews of hotshot firefighters also were brought in as reinforcements .
No evacuations orders were in place by Thursday afternoon , but evacuation warnings for parts of these communities were still in effect : Monrovia , Arcadia , Azusa , Sierra Madre , Duarte , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warnings mean that residents in those areas should be prepared to evacuate and to stay updated on developments of the fire .
In Pasadena , resident Katie Safford said the area looked like a scene out of “ The Twilight Zone.
” “ It ’ s just so weird and dark , ” Safford , 59 , said of the smoke and ash .
“ It ’ s certainly smell-able , this morning I looked down the street and it looked like clouds sitting on top of us.
” Although Safford and her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evacuation area , she knew plenty of people who were .
The second-grade teacher said the fire has put everyone on edge .
“ I woke up coughing this morning , thinking air quality or COVID ?
” Safford said .
“ I just don ’ t how much more can be thrown.
” Officials with the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region said Thursday afternoon that they would close a temporary evacuation point at Santa Anita Park and provide virtual assistance for anyone impacted by the Bobcat Fire .
The Red Cross @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evacuation site , if needed .

The Bobcat fire burning in the Angeles National Forest north of Monrovia was still spreading out of control on Thursday, Sept. 10, as firefighters contended with powerful winds.
The fire has burned 23,890 acres of pristine forest lands, Calfire officials said. It was 6% contained on Thursday, with full containment not expected until mid-October.
The Bobcat was most active near the Cogswell Reservoir, a fishing and camping spot about seven and a half miles west of Highway 39. Los Angeles County Fire Department officials said the fire had reached the reservoir after it “made a big push” on Wednesday, aided by intense winds.
MAP: This is where the Bobcat fire is burning in the San Gabriel Mountains
“The fire behavior was very active to extreme with long-range spotting, tree torching, and visible slope runs,” the officials said in a statement.
The blaze was mostly spreading north and deeper into the forest, Angeles National Forest spokesman Andrew Mitchell said. No buildings had been destroyed so far, but some homes were as close to 1.5 miles from flames along the fire’s southern edge.
Fire along the foothills above Monrovia and Azusa could be seen by residents in nearby communities. Measures are in place in case the flames begin to threaten homes.
“It’s unlikely to become an issue unless we get a really dramatic shift in winds,” Mitchell said. “It would also still has to climb up and down the ridges, and we’ve also managed to secure a defensive line with dozers and flame retardant.”
Smoke cover from the fire lifted enough at one point Wednesday to allow firefighting agencies to bring in aircraft to help crews on the ground. More than 530 firefighting personnel were working to contain the blaze on Thursday. Officials said two air tankers, including a DC-10, made fire retardant drops throughout the day. A sky-crane helicopter and two crews of hotshot firefighters also were brought in as reinforcements.
No evacuations orders were in place by Thursday afternoon, but evacuation warnings for parts of these communities were still in effect: Monrovia, Arcadia, Azusa, Sierra Madre, Duarte, Pasadena, Altadena and Bradbury. Evacuation warnings mean that residents in those areas should be prepared to evacuate and to stay updated on developments of the fire.
In Pasadena, resident Katie Safford said the area looked like a scene out of “The Twilight Zone.”
“It’s just so weird and dark,” Safford, 59, said of the smoke and ash. “It’s certainly smell-able, this morning I looked down the street and it looked like clouds sitting on top of us.”
Although Safford and her family weren’t in the voluntary evacuation area, she knew plenty of people who were. The second-grade teacher said the fire has put everyone on edge.
“I woke up coughing this morning, thinking air quality or COVID?” Safford said. “I just don’t how much more can be thrown.”
Officials with the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region said Thursday afternoon that they would close a temporary evacuation point at Santa Anita Park and provide virtual assistance for anyone impacted by the Bobcat Fire. The Red Cross has teams on standby to reopen the evacuation site, if needed.


mercurynews--2020-09-12--SF Giants game against San Diego Padres postponed moments before first pitch

The San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres were moments away from starting the second game of a four-game series @ @ @ @ @ when both teams abruptly left the field .
The Padres announced shortly after the scheduled @ @ @ @ @ game had been postponed and said a reason would be given when it became available @ @ @ @ @ Tribune reported a Giants player has tested positive for COVID-19 , but neither the Giants @ @ @ @ @ confirmed the report .
Giants manager Gabe Kapler was spotted talking near the visiting dugout @ @ @ @ @ as players grabbed their equipment and retreated to their respective clubhouses on Friday .
Kapler @ @ @ @ @ Giants bullpen to head back inside in San Diego .
No National League West teams @ @ @ @ @ positive for COVID-19 this season , but several teams in the Central and East divisions @ @ @ @ @ due to coronavirus outbreaks on the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals .

Moments before the San Francisco Giants were set to open Friday’s game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park, the game was abruptly postponed.
The Giants confirmed there’s been a positive COVID-19 test within the organization, which immediately forced the postponement of Friday’s game. Major League Baseball also announced Saturday’s game which was scheduled to start at 6:10 p.m. has been postponed “out of an abundance of caution and to allow for additional testing and contact tracing to be conducted.”
It is not clear whether a player, coach or staff member tested positive, and MLB is expected to announce the additional information regarding the status of Sunday’s game and potential makeup dates as soon as possible.
A few minutes before right fielder Mike Yastrzemski was set to lead off against San Diego Padres starter Garrett Richards, Giants trainer Dave Groeschner emerged from the clubhouse and informed the umpiring crew of the positive test result. Both Richards and the Giants’ probable starter, Johnny Cueto, received word of the postponement while they were warming up in the bullpen.
When the Giants received word of the positive test, manager Gabe Kapler and general manager Scott Harris gathered in front of the dugout and informed players the game would not take place.
The Giants must now perform contact tracing to determine which individuals were in close contact with the person who tested positive for the novel coronavirus. San Francisco is the first National League West team to have a positive test within the organization since the beginning of the season and the game between the Giants and Padres is the first postponement due to COVID-19 this season involving NL West teams.
The organization had multiple players test positive during the intake process prior to summer camp, but had not had any members of the organization test positive since the beginning of July.
The Giants are the second west coast team to have a positive test within the organization responsible for the postponement of at least one game, joining the Oakland A’s who did not play from August 30-September 3 after a player tested positive for COVID-19.
The Padres and Giants could have an opportunity to make up any postponed games during the final weekend of the regular season when San Francisco plays host to San Diego at Oracle Park. The teams also have a mutual off day on Thursday, September 17 if MLB wants to schedule games that would prevent the clubs from playing six over the final three days of the season.
Before the Giants learned of the positive test result, MLB and the MLB Players Association announced Friday there was only one positive result among the 11,669 tests conducted over the previous seven days and that there had been no new positives among players in the past 12 days.
MLB has had two large outbreaks among teams this season with the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals both missing more than a week of games after multiple players with each club tested positive during the early stages of the regular season.


mercurynews--2020-09-12--‘What are we going to be left with?’: Lives and homes destroyed as North Complex Fire burned through

‘What are we going to be left with?’: Lives and homes destroyed as North Complex Fire burned through Berry Creek

BERRY CREEK — When the Bear Fire crept closer than any fire ever had to Valerie Andrews ’ home on the unpaved Encina Grande Road , about two miles from the Oroville Quincy Highway that winds through Berry Creek , she went to the safest place she could think : the bottom of the lake .
There was no swimming required — the water line recedes enough during the dry summer months to leave a bare moonscape in its place .
Which is how Andrews found herself sitting in a fold-up chair outside her white Ford pickup truck Thursday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , feeling relatively protected even as she watched smoke rise from the burning forest line about half a mile away from her .
“ This is the safest spot in California , ” Andrews said , gesturing to the rocky dirt that rolled around her makeshift campsite , a few dozen yards from where the water stopped .
She was not the only one .
Neighbors who live along Encina Grande and the side streets that sprout off of it had also gone to the lake bottom , formally known as Foreman Creek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andrews ’ home , had burned down as the blaze spread rapidly over the ridge and through Berry Creek on Wednesday night .
By Thursday afternoon , many had left , leaving just Andrews and a handful of others .
Some young men made trips back and forth to the rural neighborhood to turn off generators ; those who had working cell phones tried communicating with people outside .
News trickled in about the state of their homes .
Most didn ’ t make it — the fire had burned through the town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the road .
Andrews and her neighbors knew that once they left the evacuation zone , they wouldn ’ t be able to get back in , stopped by the law enforcement officers who stand guard at the entry points .
Some people know the backroads in , but mostly , it ’ s difficult .
As of Friday , the North Complex West Zone Fire — previously known as the Bear Fire and part of the larger North Complex Fire — had burned more than 250,000 acres , killing at least 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , officials reported .
Thousands of people remain under evacuation warnings or orders , and at least 16 people were still unaccounted for on Thursday night .
Andrews spent 10 days outside her home when the Camp Fire swept through in 2018 .
Berry Creek survived that fire , but 10 days of not being able to return was hard on them , she said .
People aren ’ t trying to be risky , she said .
They just don ’ t want to get stuck for a month at shelters or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Many thought their homes would be okay in this fire .
Joseph Bailey , 26 , lives up the road from Andrews , off Deer Meadow , with his grandparents .
Even as he was leaving the house Wednesday morning , around 7 a.m. , he thought it would be a quick return .
“ We ’ ll be back , ” he remembered thinking .
There had been so many fire warnings in the seven years he ’ d lived on the property .
Bailey even stayed during the Camp Fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he never felt his life was in danger .
“ It ’ s happened so many times before , ” he said of the fires that , until late Tuesday night , had always stayed far enough away .
But for Berry Creek , the Bear Fire was different .
Bailey ’ s trailer and his grandparents ’ house were gone .
The fire had destroyed everything .
The fire , which had been burning in Plumas County since the August “ lightning surge , ” hit Butte County on Sept. 8 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — terrain that makes firefighting difficult .
In describing the situation in updates , a memo from CalFire noted that the “ eight-mile wide fire front bore down on northeastern Butte County burning over 70,000 acres ” by early Wednesday morning .
Firefighters rescued more than 100 people during the day and night as the fire swept through , burning Berry Creek , Feather Falls , Brush Creek and surrounding communities .
As of Friday , it was just 23 % contained and was still threatening the area , including the city of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too familiar with the situation .
It was nearly two years ago that the Camp Fire pushed them out in the same way , claiming people ’ s lives and homes in its all-encompassing conflagration .
So when California State Parks police captain Travis Gee pulled in on Thursday night to check on Andrews and the neighbors at the lake bottom , he seemed to understand what they were feeling .
But first responders such as Gee are wary — fire is unpredictable .
And after the destruction left by the Camp Fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leveled the nearby town of Paradise , and the lives claimed so far by this fire , they don ’ t want to take any chances .
“ I watched my house burn in the Camp Fire , ” he told Andrews sympathetically as she told him why she wanted to stay inside the evacuation zone until she could get her cats — only she could lure them , she explained .
Gee said his team was thinking ahead — not just about the risk that Andrews and her neighbors could be hurt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responders would not be able to provide services to help them if , for example , someone had a health emergency .
“ We ’ ve learned a lot from the Camp Fire , and we want to keep you safe , ” he said .
He promised to help Andrews save her animals so she could get out soon .
Like her neighbors , Andrews had received plenty of evacuation warnings in her 18 years living on Encina Grande Road .
So even when she heard the evacuation order , she stayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solar power to keep her computer running so she could monitor live updates about the fire .
The smoke was so thick that it was easier to see what was happening online than to watch it from the mountain .
She didn ’ t sleep .
At about 5:30 a.m. , she knew it was time to go .
The fire was about half a mile away , and there was no sign that fire crews were stopping it .
Not that she blamed them — she knew that wildfires had ignited all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There was fire on both sides of the road , but the wind wasn ’ t blowing hard , so she made her escape with relative calm and got to the lake bottom .
And there she remained , patiently waiting with her community to figure out the next step .
She didn ’ t really know her neighbors on Encina Grande .
Most people went there to find a little bit of solitude , she said .
But in a crisis , they pulled together .
Sitting there at the lake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends — such as Joseph Bailey ’ s family — rallied around each other .
When Andrews learned her house was destroyed , Tammy Bailey — Joseph Bailey ’ s grandmother — who had also lost her home , gave her a sympathetic hug from the side .
“ At least the grandkids won ’ t fight over what they ’ re inheriting , ” Tammy Bailey , who has 18 grandchildren , joked .
Still , it was hard on them both .
Tammy Bailey shook her head sadly as she noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her house were now dead .
Andrews loved the rural life dearly .
Raised in the suburbs of Los Angeles , Andrews has lived in the Sierra Nevada foothills her whole adult life , first in Grass Valley , where her daughter still lives , and then in Berry Creek , where she moved while she was caring for her dying husband .
It was an inexpensive place to live , and it was beautiful .
She worked as a waitress at the casino in Oroville , making the drive down the treacherous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But the fires have changed her mind .
“ The Camp Fire really did something to me , ” she said .
Though her home survived , it was the deadliest example of how scary fires have become in California — and she doesn ’ t expect it to get better .
“ It ’ s climate chaos , ” she sighed .
“ I ’ m not a fan of chaos.
” And 2020 has been a year of chaos .
In early February , hearing about the virus sweeping through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stocked up , resolving to stay home and avoid town until the virus died down .
Seven months later , she was on the lake bottom interacting with more people than she ’ d seen all year .
As she gets older , her family has urged her to leave the mountain .
Now that her house is gone , she may finally heed their wishes and relocate .
But the fires , the virus , the general chaos saddens her .
She gestured at the smoke billowing from the ridges around her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to be left with ?
”

BERRY CREEK — When the Bear Fire crept closer than any fire ever had to Valerie Andrews’ home on the unpaved Encina Grande Road, about two miles from the Oroville Quincy Highway that winds through Berry Creek, she went to the safest place she could think: the bottom of the lake.
There was no swimming required — the water line recedes enough during the dry summer months to leave a bare moonscape in its place. Which is how Andrews found herself sitting in a fold-up chair outside her white Ford pickup truck Thursday, her three small dogs wandering around her, feeling relatively protected even as she watched smoke rise from the burning forest line about half a mile away from her.
“This is the safest spot in California,” Andrews said, gesturing to the rocky dirt that rolled around her makeshift campsite, a few dozen yards from where the water stopped.
She was not the only one. Neighbors who live along Encina Grande and the side streets that sprout off of it had also gone to the lake bottom, formally known as Foreman Creek. Most of their houses, including Andrews’ home, had burned down as the blaze spread rapidly over the ridge and through Berry Creek on Wednesday night.
By Thursday afternoon, many had left, leaving just Andrews and a handful of others. Some young men made trips back and forth to the rural neighborhood to turn off generators; those who had working cell phones tried communicating with people outside. News trickled in about the state of their homes. Most didn’t make it — the fire had burned through the town and was still threatening homes farther up the road.
Andrews and her neighbors knew that once they left the evacuation zone, they wouldn’t be able to get back in, stopped by the law enforcement officers who stand guard at the entry points. Some people know the backroads in, but mostly, it’s difficult.
As of Friday, the North Complex West Zone Fire — previously known as the Bear Fire and part of the larger North Complex Fire — had burned more than 250,000 acres, killing at least nine people and destroying at least 2,000 structures, officials reported. Thousands of people remain under evacuation warnings or orders, and at least 19 people were still unaccounted for on Friday night.
Andrews spent 10 days outside her home when the Camp Fire swept through in 2018. Berry Creek survived that fire, but 10 days of not being able to return was hard on them, she said. People aren’t trying to be risky, she said. They just don’t want to get stuck for a month at shelters or hotels, if their homes are okay.
Many thought their homes would be okay in this fire.
Joseph Bailey, 26, lives up the road from Andrews, off Deer Meadow, with his grandparents. Even as he was leaving the house Wednesday morning, around 7 a.m., he thought it would be a quick return.
“We’ll be back,” he remembered thinking. There had been so many fire warnings in the seven years he’d lived on the property. Bailey even stayed during the Camp Fire — the smoke was bad, but he never felt his life was in danger.
“It’s happened so many times before,” he said of the fires that, until late Tuesday night, had always stayed far enough away.
But for Berry Creek, the Bear Fire was different. Bailey’s trailer and his grandparents’ house were gone. The fire had destroyed everything.
The fire, which had been burning in Plumas County since the August “lightning surge,” hit Butte County on Sept. 8, driven over steep ridges by fierce winds — terrain that makes firefighting difficult. In describing the situation in updates, a memo from CalFire noted that the “eight-mile wide fire front bore down on northeastern Butte County burning over 70,000 acres” by early Wednesday morning.
Firefighters rescued more than 100 people during the day and night as the fire swept through, burning Berry Creek, Feather Falls, Brush Creek and surrounding communities. As of Friday, it was just 23% contained and was still threatening the area, including the city of Oroville.
Residents of Butte County are too familiar with the situation. It was nearly two years ago that the Camp Fire pushed them out in the same way, claiming people’s lives and homes in its all-encompassing conflagration.
So when California State Parks police captain Travis Gee pulled in on Thursday night to check on Andrews and the neighbors at the lake bottom, he seemed to understand what they were feeling. But first responders such as Gee are wary — fire is unpredictable. And after the destruction left by the Camp Fire, which killed 85 people as it leveled the nearby town of Paradise, and the lives claimed so far by this fire, they don’t want to take any chances.
“I watched my house burn in the Camp Fire,” he told Andrews sympathetically as she told him why she wanted to stay inside the evacuation zone until she could get her cats — only she could lure them, she explained.
Gee said his team was thinking ahead — not just about the risk that Andrews and her neighbors could be hurt by the fire, but that first responders would not be able to provide services to help them if, for example, someone had a health emergency.
“We’ve learned a lot from the Camp Fire, and we want to keep you safe,” he said. He promised to help Andrews save her animals so she could get out soon.
Like her neighbors, Andrews had received plenty of evacuation warnings in her 18 years living on Encina Grande Road.
So even when she heard the evacuation order, she stayed put Tuesday evening, using just enough solar power to keep her computer running so she could monitor live updates about the fire. The smoke was so thick that it was easier to see what was happening online than to watch it from the mountain.
She didn’t sleep. At about 5:30 a.m., she knew it was time to go. The fire was about half a mile away, and there was no sign that fire crews were stopping it. Not that she blamed them — she knew that wildfires had ignited all over the state, stretching firefighting resources.
There was fire on both sides of the road, but the wind wasn’t blowing hard, so she made her escape with relative calm and got to the lake bottom. And there she remained, patiently waiting with her community to figure out the next step.
She didn’t really know her neighbors on Encina Grande. Most people went there to find a little bit of solitude, she said. But in a crisis, they pulled together. Sitting there at the lake bottom, neighbors who had become new friends — such as Joseph Bailey’s family — rallied around each other.
When Andrews learned her house was destroyed, Tammy Bailey — Joseph Bailey’s grandmother — who had also lost her home, gave her a sympathetic hug from the side.
“At least the grandkids won’t fight over what they’re inheriting,” Tammy Bailey, who has 18 grandchildren, joked. Still, it was hard on them both. Tammy Bailey shook her head sadly as she noted that all the ducks she kept at her house were now dead.
Andrews loved the rural life dearly. Raised in the suburbs of Los Angeles, Andrews has lived in the Sierra Nevada foothills her whole adult life, first in Grass Valley, where her daughter still lives, and then in Berry Creek, where she moved while she was caring for her dying husband. It was an inexpensive place to live, and it was beautiful.
She worked as a waitress at the casino in Oroville, making the drive down the treacherous Encina Grande Road five days a week.
“I’m a foothills girl,” she said proudly.
But the fires have changed her mind.
“The Camp Fire really did something to me,” she said. Though her home survived, it was the deadliest example of how scary fires have become in California — and she doesn’t expect it to get better.
“It’s climate chaos,” she sighed. “I’m not a fan of chaos.”
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Living with air pollution, especially from wildfires or agriculture, raises risk of dementia, US study finds Crashes and Disasters | Cadaver dogs are in Maui to help find the dead. Here’s how it works and why it’s difficult And 2020 has been a year of chaos. In early February, hearing about the virus sweeping through China, she went to town and stocked up, resolving to stay home and avoid town until the virus died down. Seven months later, she was on the lake bottom interacting with more people than she’d seen all year.
As she gets older, her family has urged her to leave the mountain. Now that her house is gone, she may finally heed their wishes and relocate. But the fires, the virus, the general chaos saddens her. She gestured at the smoke billowing from the ridges around her mountain home.
“What are we going to be left with?”


mercurynews--2020-09-12--Map: Two big Oregon fires merge, and a third is close

The two largest fires burning in Oregon have merged , and a third is less than three miles away .
The Lionshead Fire — which had already joined boundaries with the smaller P515 — and the Beachie Creek Fire have touched , north of Detroit Lake .
The joined fire was initially renamed Santiam , but then was returned to its original names .
The Riverside Fire is expected to soon merge with Beachie Creek .
All three fires merged would be more than 450,000 acres .
The heat could send embers flying long distances , potentially igniting new fires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three fires covered almost 2,000 square miles on Friday and extended to Portland ’ s southeast suburbs .
It is shown in orange on the map above .
Clackamas County , which includes the cities of Sandy , Oregon City , Milwaukie and Lake Oswego , declared a curfew of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. For latest updates on evacuations , including warning zones , check the official maps from Clackamas County and Marion County .
The details of the three fires : • Beachie Creek , started Aug. 16 , unknown cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was at only 469 acres , but the historic windstorm of Monday , September 7 , whipped it overnight to more than 131,000 acres .
On Sept. 11 , it was 186,856 acres ( 291 square miles ) .
• Lionshead / P515 , started Aug. 16 from lightning .
Before the windstorm , Lionshead was 18,615 acres and 31 % containment ; on Sept. 11 , it was 131,110 acres ( 205 square miles ) with 5 % containment .
P515 , connected at the large fire ’ s eastern tip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• Riverside , started Sept. 8 from unspecified “ human cause.
” On Sept. 11 , it was 130,049 acres ( 206 square miles ) .
Two other fires of more than 100,000 acres are burning in Oregon : • Holiday Farm , started Sept. 7 and has burned 156,708 acres .
On Friday , Sept. 11 , it was 16 miles east of Interstate 5 near Eugene .
• Archie Creek , discovered on Sept. 8 and has burned 115,857 acres .
It was 12 miles east of I-5 near Roseburg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 40,000 Oregonians have been evacuated and about 500,000 are in different levels of evacuation zones , either having been told to leave or to prepare to do so .
She was dialing back on a statement late Thursday issued by the state Office of Emergency Management that said a half-million people had been ordered to evacuate statewide .
— The Associated Press contributed to this report .

The two largest fires burning in Oregon have merged, and a third is less than three miles away.
The Lionshead Fire — which had already joined boundaries with the smaller P515 — and the Beachie Creek Fire have touched, north of Detroit Lake. The joined fire was initially renamed Santiam, but then was returned to its original names.
The Riverside Fire is expected to soon merge with Beachie Creek.
All three fires merged would be more than 450,000 acres. The heat could send embers flying long distances, potentially igniting new fires.
The mandatory evacuation zone for the three fires covered almost 2,000 square miles on Friday and extended to Portland’s southeast suburbs. It is shown in orange on the map above.
Clackamas County, which includes the cities of Sandy, Oregon City, Milwaukie and Lake Oswego, declared a curfew of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
For latest updates on evacuations, including warning zones, check the official maps from Clackamas County, Marion County and Linn County.
The details of the three fires:
Beachie Creek , started Aug. 16, unknown cause. Three weeks after it started, it was at only 469 acres, but the historic windstorm of Monday, September 7, whipped it overnight to more than 131,000 acres. On Sept. 11, it was 186,856 acres (291 square miles).
, started Aug. 16, unknown cause. Three weeks after it started, it was at only 469 acres, but the historic windstorm of Monday, September 7, whipped it overnight to more than 131,000 acres. On Sept. 11, it was 186,856 acres (291 square miles). Lionshead / P515 , started Aug. 16 from lightning. Before the windstorm, Lionshead was 18,615 acres and 31% containment; on Sept. 11, it was 131,110 acres (205 square miles) with 5% containment. P515, connected at the large fire’s eastern tip, was 4,607 and 95% containment.
, started Aug. 16 from lightning. Before the windstorm, Lionshead was 18,615 acres and 31% containment; on Sept. 11, it was 131,110 acres (205 square miles) with 5% containment. P515, connected at the large fire’s eastern tip, was 4,607 and 95% containment. Riverside, started Sept. 8 from unspecified “human cause.” On Sept. 11, it was 130,049 acres (206 square miles).
Two other fires of more than 100,000 acres are burning in Oregon:
Holiday Farm , started Sept. 7 and has burned 156,708 acres. On Friday, Sept. 11, it was 16 miles east of Interstate 5 near Eugene.
, started Sept. 7 and has burned 156,708 acres. On Friday, Sept. 11, it was 16 miles east of Interstate 5 near Eugene. Archie Creek, discovered on Sept. 8 and has burned 115,857 acres. It was 12 miles east of I-5 near Roseburg.
Gov. Kate Brown said more than 40,000 Oregonians have been evacuated and about 500,000 are in different levels of evacuation zones, either having been told to leave or to prepare to do so. She was dialing back on a statement late Thursday issued by the state Office of Emergency Management that said a half-million people had been ordered to evacuate statewide.
— The Associated Press contributed to this report.