The Bug Fire has burned more than 30,000 hectares across California and Nevada, killing one person and forcing the evacuation of several communities since it ignited on Aug. 8 in Lassen County before spreading eastward.
The blaze, now merged with the nearby Fred Mountain Fire, stood at roughly 88,000 acres and was 15% contained as of Thursday, with more than 500 personnel assigned. Two civilians were airlifted to a Sacramento burn center after suffering injuries near the fire line. Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency for parts of Washoe County and the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony.
Fire officials have said both fires were human-caused. A 47-year-old woman was arrested in Nevada earlier this week on suspicion of arson and confessed to deliberately setting a fire, authorities said.