Silver Fire: Evacuations ordered as winds pose challenges for firefighters battling California blaze

Source: Associated Press

Evacuations ordered as winds pose challenges for firefighters battling California blaze

Updated 12:57 PM EDT, March 31, 2025

BISHOP, Calif. (AP) — Strong winds on Monday drove an out-of-control wildfire through a remote area of eastern California, prompting evacuations for hundreds of homes.

The Silver Fire erupted Sunday afternoon along Route 6 in Inyo County, about 5 miles (8 km) northeast of Bishop in the Owens Valley.

By Monday morning, it had grown to nearly 2 square miles (5 square km), according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire. There was no containment.

The potential for 65 mph (104 kph) gusts limited flights by water-dropping helicopters and kept air tankers grounded, Cal Fire spokesperson Chloe Castillo said.

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/california-wildfires-silver-inyo-county-ae5e64bf00d0cca523f895fcc30fb17b