Firefighter battling flames in No. California found dead

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A firefighter who was helping fight the Frog Fire within the Modoc National Forest in northern California was found dead Friday.

According to Scott Jacobson of the Black Hills National Forest, a search and rescue team went looking for David Ruhle 38, after firefighters lost contact with him Thursday. The search went on through the night, and Rhule was found Friday.

Ruhle, 38, of Rapid City, S.D., was on a temporary assignment at the Big Valley Ranger District since June 14. He was the engine captain for the Mystic Ranger District in the Black Hills National Forest in Rapid City.

The blaze in northern California was one of 18 large fires burning around the state. Flames consumed a handful of homes and chased hundreds of people from their houses, prompting Gov. Jerry Brown to declare a state of emergency for all of California on Friday.

The state’s incessant drought is making matters worse.

“They only need a little wind to allow them to burn at an explosive rate,” said Daniel Berlant, a spokesman for the California Department of Fire and Forestry Protection.

Crews hope for cooler weather this weekend but fear dry thunderstorms will bring more lightening, which has already sparked dozens of small fires, many along the Mendocino Coast.

Brown said the declaration would help speed up help for thousands of firefighters working to corral the blazes. As part of the order, he activated the California National Guard to help with disaster recovery.

A fast-moving fire in Lake County has now covered 28 square miles, just two days after it started.

"Fire is traveling at a rapid rate of spread with forward spotting," Cal Fire reported on its site.

About 500 people were evacuated from the area.

The blaze is burning heavy brush and timber and access to the flames is difficult, Cal Fire said.

Contributing: The Associated Press