California Blaze More Than Doubles in Size Overnight

A Northern California blaze more than doubled in size overnight despite an increase in humidity and cooler temperatures
California Blaze More Than Doubles in Size Overnight
CalFire firefighter Bo Santiago lights a backfire as the Rocky fire burns near Clearlake, Calif., on Monday, Aug. 3, 2015. AP Photo/Josh Edelson
The Associated Press
Updated:

LOWER LAKE, Calif.—A Northern California blaze more than doubled in size overnight despite an increase in humidity and cooler temperatures.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection says the fire, which erupted Sunday several miles away from the community of Lower Lake, had burned nearly 19 square miles.

For the second time in as many weeks, residents had to evacuate their homes because of the uncontained fire lighting up rocky hills about 100 miles north of San Francisco.

More than 1,100 firefighters are battling the blaze that’s threatening 50 structures.

No homes have been destroyed and no injuries have been reported.

Meanwhile, firefighters have nearly surrounded the larger blaze that started about two weeks ago and burned 109 square miles.