Officials: Woman driving on rim sparks California wildfires

SAN ANDREAS, Calif. – A car driven by a woman high on drugs sparked several wildfires that have burned at least 450 acres in Northern California, authorities say.

The woman was driving on the right rear rim of her subcompact car, emitting sparks that caused the fires in Calaveras County, 65 miles southeast of Sacramento, The California Highway Patrol tells KCRA-TV.

No buildings have burned, but some people on Sunday were forced to leave their homes. The evacuation orders have since been lifted.

“We immediately smelled the smoke from the vehicle and looked and there was a fire on the corner of the property,” homeowner Eugene Brooks told the station. Neighbors were left to help put out hot spots near their homes and said they were relieved the fire wasn’t worse.

Renee Hogan was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, the CHP said. The state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection says it has filed additional charges against Hogan related to the fires.

The fire is 15 per cent contained. No one was injured. Hogan’s car was torched by the flames.

With wildfire season in full swing, Cal Fire is pleading with homeowners and drivers to be careful. There are some 11,500 firefighters battling a dozen large wildfires in California.

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This story has been corrected to show that fires are in Northern California.