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Homes burn in big blaze

A grass fire along a Northern California highway spread to parched trees, and flying embers landed on nearby homes, setting at least eight homes on fire, authorities said.

The fire started on vegetation and quickly spread to a row of Eucalyptus trees lining Highway 101 in Petaluma, California, Petaluma fire Battalion Chief Jeff Holden said.

The flames apparently damaged gas service valves on multiple homes, and "flames shot like a torch in the attic," Holden told the Press Democrat.

At least two homes were gutted, but authorities had yet to assess the extent of the damage on the other six homes.

Flames lit up the mountainside above a roller coaster at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and a residence was reduced to rubble, though its hot tub still stood. The fire consumed a large home sitting on a hilltop plot and poured out thick, black smoke, while another house sat unscathed below.

The blaze broke out Monday during a statewide heat wave, and crews prepared for another day of witheringly low humidity and temperatures in the upper 90s.

"This fire is a good reminder that even though we are approaching October, this time of year is historically when we experience the largest and most damaging wildfires," Cal Fire spokesman Daniel Berlant said.



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