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The size of California’s McKinney Fire surpassed that of a blaze to the south overnight to become the state’s largest of 2022 — by far.
The 51,468-acre blaze near the state’s northern border has thrived on deadly heat in the Pacific Northwest that has preliminarily been linked to the deaths of seven people in Oregon.
On Saturday Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency for the county. It unlocks additional state and federal firefighting and recovery funds.
It was only a week ago that the 19,000-acre Oak Fire about 400 miles south, in Mariposa County, became the state’s largest of the year. That blaze, roughly 40 miles from the edge of Yosemite National Park, was 64 percent contained Sunday.
Late afternoon heat in Oregon-adjacent Siskayou County was measured at 99 degrees Sunday. A red flag warning, which tells residents the most volatile wildfire conditions are present, and an excessive heat warning, were in effect though late Sunday evening.
