All California wildfires are under control

Two of the state’s biggest blazes are 97% and 98% contained, authorities say.

For the first time in months, wildfires across California are under control or nearly there, according to state and federal firefighting agencies.

Two of the state’s biggest wildfires — the 98,000- acre King fire in Eldorado National Forest and the 133,000- acre Happy Camp Complex fire in Klamath National Forest— are 98% and 97% contained, respectively, according to the U. S. Forest Service and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The King fire was particularly destructive, forcing many residents of Pollock Pines to evacuate as it tore through steep mountainsides and burned more than 80 structures, including 12 homes.

Wayne Huntsman, 37, of Pollock Pines has been accused of intentionally setting the fire Sept. 13. The blaze should be fully contained by Wednesday, Cal Fire said.

The Happy Camp Complex fire burning near the Oregon border, meanwhile, continues to burn itself out. On Friday, Klamath National Forest officials reopened about 100 square miles of parkland west of the fire to campers and hunters.

The blaze has so far cost $ 87 million to fight, according to the U. S. Forest Service.

The two fires mark the end of a recent spate of fastmoving, highly destructive wildfires that have raced across parched forests and isolated mountain towns.

But it may be only a temporary reprieve. October is the traditional start of California’s fire season, though officials have warned that because of the state’s prolonged drought, the danger has been ever- present.

Over the last 10 months, Cal Fire has fought at least 1,000 wildfires more than it does in an average year.

In responding to nearly 5,000 blazes this year, agencies also have burned throughthe state’s $ 209- million wildfire- fighting budget, prompting Gov. Jerry Brown to tap $ 70 million more froma reserve account.