Officials Survey Damage From Boles Fire

Sept. 17 7 A.M. -- The number of structures damaged or destroyed in the wildfire that swept through the Siskiyou County lumber town of Weed has risen to 150.

The fire also burned a church, and damaged the Elementary School. The fire is 25 percent contained.

Sept. 16 7 A.M.

(AP) - Oregon Transportation Department officials say Interstate 5 into California has reopened after a temporary closure due to a fierce wind-driven northern California wildfire. However, they say southbound US 97 in California about 40 miles south of the Oregon border is closed due to the fire.

YubaNet.com Updates: Boles Fire

Cal Fire: Boles Fire

Highway officials said Monday that the US97 closure was expected to last through the night.

In the small California town of Weed, a wildfire has burned a church and damaged or destroyed 100 homes. Officials issued evacuation orders for at least 1,500 people.

The town of nearly 3,000 lies near the base of Mount Shasta.

More than 800 firefighters fought the flames, aided by aircraft.

The winds began to ease late in the day, and the fire's pace slowed. State fire spokeswoman Susie Brady said that by dusk it was 15 percent contained but still advancing.