Firefighters in stalemate against Calif. wildfires

updated 7:57 p.m. ET June 29, 2008

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Firefighters in Northern California battled more than a thousand wildfires to a stalemate by Sunday, but forecasters said dangerous conditions would not relent anytime soon.

No new major fires had broken out by Sunday morning as fire crews inched closer to getting some of the largest blazes surrounded, according to the state Office of Emergency Services.

But a "red flag warning" — meaning the most extreme fire danger — was still in effect for Northern California until 5 a.m. Monday. And the coming days and months are expected to bring little relief.

Forecasters predicted more thunderstorms and dry lightning through the weekend, similar to the ones that ignited hundreds of fires a week ago. Meanwhile, a U.S. Forest Service report said the weather would get even drier and hotter as fire season headed toward its traditional peak in late July and August.

Long, fiery summer likely
Lower-than-average rainfall and record levels of parched vegetation likely mean a long, fiery summer throughout Northern California, according to the Forest Service's state fire outlook released last week.

The fires burning now could take weeks or months to bring under full control, the report said.

Slide show   California burning View images of the wildfires raging across the state more photos

Those blazes were mostly sparked by lightning storms that were unusually intense for so early in the season. But summer storms would probably be even fiercer, according to the Forest Service.

"Our most widespread and/or critical lightning events often occur in late July or August, and we have no reason to deviate from that," the agency's report said.

The blazes have scorched more than 550 square miles and destroyed more than 50 buildings, said Gregory Renick, state emergency services spokesman.

A wildfire in the Los Padres National Forest has forced the closure of a scenic stretch of a coastal highway and driven away visitors at the peak of the tourist season.

Air quality districts from Bakersfield to Redding issued health advisories through the weekend, urging residents to stay indoors to limit exposure to the smoky air.

Federal emergency declaration
On Saturday, President Bush issued an emergency declaration for California and ordered federal agencies to assist in firefighting efforts.

But California emergency officials said state and local governments would also need federal financing to cover the costs of fighting so many fires this early in the year.

Federal aid now includes four Marine Corps helicopters, remote sensing of the fires by NASA, federal firefighters, and the activation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

In Arizona, residents of a remote mountain community north of Phoenix left their homes voluntarily ahead of a slow-moving fire, officials said Sunday.

And firefighters southwest of Phoenix allowed evacuated residents living near a fire in the dry Gila River bed to return home Saturday. The fire was not contained but was no longer advancing.

Evacuation orders were lifted Sunday morning for residents of Tajique in central New Mexico, where a blaze has destroyed six homes. The fire, sparked by lightning June 23, was more than 60 percent contained.

And in Guffey, Colo., about 40 miles west of Colorado Springs, most of the 100 residents who fled a fire were allowed back home Sunday.

A small-plane crash that killed four people touched off a wildfire northwest of Las Vegas on Saturday. Firefighters ordered the evacuation of a subdivision but were expected to have the fire under control Sunday evening.

More from msnbc.com Why the Lieberman saga ended with a deal New House Democrats wary on taxes, bailout More Americans raiding nest eggs early Investors pay dearly to tap retirement funds Superbug in 40 percent of grocery's meats World Blog: Plotting Dalai Lama's reincarnation

MORE FROM LIFE

Life Section Front

Sheriff: Bonfire caused 1 of 3 wildfires 30-day age limit on Neb. safe haven advances Will oil tycoon's wife save wild horses? Great Lakes blanketed in 2 feet of snow Homes sought for dogs as tracks close Life Section Front   Add Life headlines to your news reader: