Western wildfires: Beckwourth Complex Fire now largest in California; 2 Arizona firefighters dead
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By Kelli Dugan, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Intense heat and parched conditions have stoked multiple wildfires sweeping the western United States that claimed the lives of two Arizona firefighters and displaced thousands.
The firefighters died in a plane crash Saturday while conducting aerial reconnaissance over the Cedar Basin Fire near the Prescott National Forest, according to a statement issued by the Arizona Bureau of Land Management.
“Our hearts are heavy tonight with sincere condolences to families, loved ones and firefighters affected by this tragic aviation accident that occurred today in Arizona on the #CedarBasinFire,” the agency tweeted.
The lightning-caused Cedar Basin Fire has burned 300 acres.
Meanwhile, southern Oregon’s Bootleg Fire continued to spread exponentially, scorching nearly 144,000 acres in the Fremont-Winema National Forest with 0% containment by Sunday evening, KTVZ reported.
According to energy officials, the Bootleg Fire has already cost California thousands of megawatts of imported power by interrupting three electrical lines that transmit power from Oregon to California, all while the latter struggles to maintain operating reserves as triple-digit temperatures leave portions of the state sweltering, the TV station reported.
The more pressing concern for California, however, remains the Beckwourth Complex Fire that has scorched more than 86 square miles, making it the state’s largest blaze of the current wildfire season, NBC News reported.
The northern California blaze doubled in size between Friday and Saturday, destroying homes in multiple communities, but no official figures or damage assessments have been released, Lisa Cox, public information officer for the Beckwourth Complex Fire, told the Los Angeles Times.
The Beckwourth Complex Fire actually encompasses two lightning-caused fires: the Sugar Fire, which ignited July 2 and remained only 8% contained Sunday after burning more than 83,000 acres, and the Dotta Fire, which started June 30 and had been 99% contained by Sunday morning after burning 670 acres, the Times reported.
“We’re looking at unprecedented early fire season [and] extreme fire behavior,” incident commander Rocky Opliger said during a community meeting Saturday, NBC News reported.
Beckwourth Complex Fire Fire burns along a power pole as the Sugar Fire, part of the Beckwourth Complex Fire, tears through central Doyle, Calif., on Saturday, July 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) (Noah Berger/AP)
Beckwourth Complex Fire Smoke rose from the Beckwourth Complex Fire at sunset on Thursday, July 8, 2021. The blaze continues to grow in California with smoke reaching into northern Nevada. (Photo by Ty O'Neil/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) (Ty ONeil/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Beckwourth Complex Fire An air tanker drops retardant to keep the Sugar Fire, part of the Beckwourth Complex Fire, from reaching the Beckwourth community of unincorporated Plumas County, Calif., on Friday, July 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) (Noah Berger/AP)
Beckwourth Complex Fire Trees burning as the Beckwourth Complex fire approaches Highway 395.
The Beckwourth Complex fire continues to burn through the night. (Photo by /SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) (Ty ONeil/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Beckwourth Complex Fire Trees burn as the Beckwourth Complex fire approaches Highway 395 on Friday, July 9, 2021.
The Beckwourth Complex fire continues to burn through the night. (Photo by Ty ONeil/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) (Ty ONeil/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Beckwourth Complex Fire The Sugar Fire, part of the Beckwourth Complex Fire, burns in Doyle, Calif., on Saturday, July 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) (Noah Berger/AP)
Beckwourth Complex Fire Fire consumes a home as the Sugar Fire, part of the Beckwourth Complex Fire, tears through Doyle, Calif., on Saturday, July 10, 2021. Pushed by heavy winds, the fire came out of the hills and destroyed multiple residences in central Doyle. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) (Noah Berger/AP)
Beckwourth Complex Fire Firefighters from Cal Fire's Placerville station monitor the Sugar Fire, part of the Beckwourth Complex Fire, in Doyle, Calif., on Friday, July 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) (Noah Berger/AP)
Beckwourth Complex Fire David Garfield clears a fire break around his home as the Sugar Fire, part of the Beckwourth Complex Fire, burns towards Doyle, Calif., on Saturday, July 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) (Noah Berger/AP)
Beckwourth Complex Fire Fire consumes homes as the Sugar Fire, part of the Beckwourth Complex Fire, tears through Doyle, Calif., on Saturday, July 10, 2021. Pushed by heavy winds, the fire came out of the hills and destroyed multiple residences in central Doyle. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) (Noah Berger/AP)
Beckwourth Complex Fire Firefighters from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's Placerville station battle the Sugar Fire, part of the Beckwourth Complex Fire, in Doyle, Calif., Friday, July 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) (Noah Berger/AP)
Beckwourth Complex Fire Fire consumes a home as the Sugar Fire, part of the Beckwourth Complex Fire, tears through Doyle, Calif., on Saturday, July 10, 2021. Pushed by heavy winds, the fire came out of the hills and destroyed multiple residences in central Doyle. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) (Noah Berger/AP)
Beckwourth Complex Fire Smoke envelops trees as the Sugar Fire, part of the Beckwourth Complex Fire, burns in Doyle, Calif., on Friday, July 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) (Noah Berger/AP)
Beckwourth Complex Fire Flames consume a vehicle as the Sugar Fire, part of the Beckwourth Complex Fire, tears through Doyle, Calif., Saturday, July 10, 2021. Pushed by heavy winds amid a heat wave, the fire came out of the hills and destroyed multiple residences in central Doyle. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) (Noah Berger/AP)
Beckwourth Complex Fire A firefighter sprays water while trying to stop the Sugar Fire, part of the Beckwourth Complex Fire, from spreading to neighboring homes in Doyle, Calif., Saturday, July 10, 2021. Pushed by heavy winds amid a heat wave, the fire came out of the hills and destroyed multiple residences in central Doyle. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) (Noah Berger/AP)
Beckwourth Complex Fire Fire consumes a home as the Sugar Fire, part of the Beckwourth Complex Fire, tears through Doyle, Calif., on Saturday, July 10, 2021. Pushed by heavy winds, the fire came out of the hills and destroyed multiple residences in central Doyle. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) (Noah Berger/AP)
Beckwourth Complex Fire Fire consumes a structure as the Sugar Fire, part of the Beckwourth Complex Fire, tears through Doyle, Calif., on Saturday, July 10, 2021. Pushed by heavy winds, the fire came out of the hills and destroyed multiple residences in central Doyle. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) (Noah Berger/AP)