A firefighter died on Thursday in the San Bernardino National Forest as crews battled the El Dorado Fire, the U.S. Forest Service said in a news release. The El Dorado Fire erupted earlier this month after a smoke-generating pyrotechnic device was used by a couple to reveal their baby's gender, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, said. The El Dorado Fire has burned more than 19,000 acres (7,700 hectares) and was about 66 per cent contained, according to Cal Fire. Wildfires have burned more than three million acres in California this year and are blamed for at least 25 deaths. California alone has spent $529 million US since July 1 on wildfires, said Daniel Berlant, assistant deputy director of Cal Fire.

Source: CBC News September 18, 2020 13:18 UTC