Arson blamed for N. Calif. wildfire

CHICO, Calif., July 17 (UPI) -- Investigators say they are convinced a wildfire that destroyed 80 homes in Northern California last month was the work of an arsonist.

Cal Fire and Butte County sheriff's deputies Thursday were looking for a white Ford van and a maroon Nissan pickup truck in connection with the start of the Humboldt Fire, which broke out June 11 in a rural area of Butte County east of Chico.

The Sacramento Bee said Cal Fire had ruled out all other causes for the 23,500-acre blaze and considered it to have been intentionally set. The fire cause about $34 million in damage in the community of Paradise.

Meantime, firefighters were taking advantage of favorable weather to contain around 43 active fires in the northern third of the state.

Cal Fire was watching for afternoon thunderstorm activity in the southern Sierra Nevada, and a fire weather watch was posted in parts of Idaho.