Central California blaze prompts evacuation order

In the southern Sierra Nevada region of California, there was growing concern as the French Fire expanded near Lake Isabella, a popular fishing and boating destination about 155 miles north of Los Angeles. About 10 communities were under evacuation orders in the area.

The fire has blackened 32 square miles since Aug. 18. Nationally, 92 large fires were burning in a dozen mainly Western states, according to the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho. Northern California has experienced a series of terrible blazes that have burned hundreds of homes and many remain uncontained. On Tuesday, President Joe Biden declared that a major disaster exists in California and ordered federal aid made available to local governments, agencies and fire victims in four northern counties ravaged by blazes dating back to July 14.