Wilson Declares State of Emergency in Yuba County
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SACRAMENTO — Gov. Pete Wilson declared a state of emergency Wednesday in fire-ravaged Yuba County, opening the door to federal assistance for burned-out residents and business owners.
Wilson’s announcement came a day after firefighters contained the wildfire that destroyed 148 structures and charred 6,000 acres in the Sierra Nevada foothills northeast of Sacramento.
Demobilization of the 1,500 firefighters from across the state who fought the fire continued Wednesday. Long convoys of engines could be seen heading down the road, away from where the fire had burned. Only local firefighters and state Department of Forestry crews remained to continue cleaning up.
Crews mopped up hot spots at scattered sites in the area after firefighters encircled the blaze with a 20-mile-long firebreak.
The fire was ignited Saturday by an electrical short in a motor home that sent sparks and flames into the tinder-dry brush.
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