Two Killed in #CarrFire in California (VIDEO)

At the San Francisco Chronicle, "Carr Fire kills two firefighters near Redding, destroys 500 structures":

REDDING — The ferocious Carr Fire that ripped into this city of 90,000 after winds blew it over the Sacramento River has taken the life of a second firefighter, destroyed 500 structures and prompted authorities to expand evacuations Friday.

The intensity of the heat created fire whirlwinds that uprooted trees and turned over cars as 37,000 residents fled for their lives after the fire entered the northwest side of the city late Thursday night.

Three people were missing — two young children and their great-grandmother, who were last known to be at a home that was leveled by the fire, a family friend said.

“This fire is a long way from being done,” Cal Fire Chief Ken Pimlott said at a news conference. “We’re seeing fire whirls — literally what can be described as a tornado. ... These are extreme conditions. This is how fires are burning in California. We need to take heed. Evacuate. Evacuate. Evacuate.”

By Friday night, 48,000 acres had burned and only 5 percent of the blaze was contained. Five hundred structures were destroyed and 75 damaged, Cal Fire Shasta-Trinity Unit officials said...

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