California wildfires grow as heat wave raises concerns; conditions improve in South Dakota

A wildfire burning in Northern California forced hundreds of people to evacuate Wednesday as a heat wave threatened to worsen fire conditions. In the Midwest, another wildfire put residents in South Dakota's second-largest city on alert, ready to flee if the flames got dangerously close.

The wildfire that has ravaged the remote California mountain community of Sierra Brooks, home to about 500 people, has not been contained. Authorities reinforced evacuation orders Tuesday night after high winds pushed the flames through dry brush and trees about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Lake Tahoe. The Bear Fire has grown to more than 5 square miles (12.1 square kilometers) and sent a plume of smoke visible about 25 miles (40 kilometers) away in Reno, Nevada.

Across California, warnings of increased wildfire risk have been issued. The California desert communities of Palm Springs, Twentynine Palms, Needles and Barstow will also see high temperatures, with highs of up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit (47.7 degrees Celsius) expected at Furnace Creek in Death Valley later this week.

In Santa Barbara County, California, officials issued a health alert due to rising temperatures in inland areas. The health department urged residents to stay indoors during the day and take other steps to avoid heat-related illnesses.

The wildfire news is better in South Dakota: The fight to contain the First Thunder fire was bolstered Wednesday by cooler weather and lighter winds. Officials were optimistic that homes in Rapid City would be safe.

The First Thunder fire was reported Monday just miles from Rapid City, a community of 80,000 near the Black Hills National Forest. Mount Rushmore National Memorial is about 25 miles away, but far from dangerous.

The fire that has burned nearly 150 acres has been fueled by unusually hot and dry weather: Highs in Rapid City on Tuesday reached 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35.6 degrees Celsius), well above the normal highs for early September of 75 degrees Fahrenheit (23.9 degrees Celsius). Winds reached 45 mph (72 km/h).

As recently as Tuesday night, residents in an evacuation alert zone in Rapid City were being told to pack their bags, gather essential belongings and prepare to leave.