One of the largest fires in California history was still growing Saturday, possibly threatening electrical and water service for San Francisco, officials said, according to UPI. More than 125,000 acres and least 23 buildings have burned, with as many as 4,500 structures in jeopardy from the Rim fire, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. Authorities said nearly 2,700 firefighters were on duty, with support from water-dropping aircraft. By Saturday afternoon, the fire was reported 5 percent contained and apparently headed toward thick, dry pine forest, as it threatened power lines 150 miles away in Yosemite National Park, the newspaper said. The California Emergency Management Agency said Gov. Jerry Brown had secured federal funding for the operations, when the Federal Emergency Management Agency approved a special Fire Management Assistance Grant, providing funds to reimburse eligible firefighting expenses. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission said Friday water, which reaches the Bay Area through underground pipes, was safe to drink but the commission decided to shut down two of its three main hydroelectric stations, the Chronicle reported. The shutdown prompted Brown to declare a state of emergency in San Francisco.
