Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 22
Pleasanton Shrinks Evacuation Orders as 1,000-Acre Little Fire Reaches 10% Containment
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 22

Pleasanton Shrinks Evacuation Orders as 1,000-Acre Little Fire Reaches 10% Containment

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 22

Summary

  • Three Pleasanton zones remained under evacuation orders by 10 p.m., down from orders affecting more than 4,800 residents earlier as crews gained limited control of the Little fire.
  • The wildfire grew to about 1,000 acres in dry Sunol hills southeast of San Francisco, driven by parched vegetation, temperatures above 90 degrees and difficult access for firefighters.
  • Ten percent of the blaze was contained Tuesday night, with crews planning overnight work in cooler weather and lighter winds; one firefighter suffered a minor injury.
  • The fire drew air and ground resources and was burning near a decommissioned nuclear facility, whose owner NorthStar said it was evaluating the incident.

Insights

Is this early season fire a sign that California’s firefighting resources will be overwhelmed this summer?
With poor snowpack and rising heat, is California’s current wildfire prevention strategy becoming obsolete?