In brief: California homes burned in Rocky fire rise to 39

The number of homes destroyed by the 68,300-acre Rocky fire burning north of Napa, California, has climbed to 39, officials said Wednesday.

Fire officials warned Wednesday that the number of structures lost may continue to increase as crews assess damage in scorched areas of the Rocky fire. So far, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said raging flames have destroyed 39 homes, up from 24, and 52 outbuildings, and damaged four structures.

Meanwhile, firefighters remained vigilant as hot and dry conditions returned Wednesday, increasing the potential for extreme fire behavior.

Temperatures were near 90 degrees in Clearlake, not far from where more than 3,400 firefighters were battling the 68,300-acre wildfire, according to the National Weather Service.

The temperature increase, caused by a low-pressure system, is a shift from Tuesday, when cooler weather and a light drizzle allowed firefighters to advance.

Thunderstorms are expected to return today to the Sierra Nevada and coastal mountains.

Because of the Rocky fire’s unpredictability, Cal Fire officials issued a strong notice to residents this week: “Stay vigilant and adhere to any changes in evacuations and road closures.”

AG faces contempt over gay marriage

SAN ANTONIO – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton must explain why he should not be held in contempt for enforcing state laws that impede gay marriage rights after the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision, a federal judge ordered Wednesday.

Judge Orlando Garcia ordered Paxton to appear in a San Antonio federal court next Wednesday after a Houston gay man was not provided an amended death certificate for his husband. The court order comes just two days after Paxton was booked on securities fraud charges.

The hearing is to determine whether Paxton and Kirk Cole, interim commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services, should be held in contempt after potentially disobeying a July 7 court order barring the state from enforcing any laws “that prohibit or fail to recognize same-sex marriage,” according to the court order.

Garcia further ordered that state officials must provide an amended death certificate to John Stone-Hoskins, of Conroe, who had filed court papers earlier Wednesday asking the judge to force Texas officials to place his name on the certificate for his husband, James Stone-Hoskins, who died in January. The two were married last year in New Mexico.

Man charged after report of shooting

WASHINGTON – U.S. Park Police say a man has been charged after a gun was fired inside a car on the National Mall.

Sgt. Lelani Woods said in a news release Wednesday that 30-year-old Maurice Holmes, of Washington, was charged with fleeing to elude law enforcement.

Woods said Holmes was the driver of a car described by witnesses after Tuesday’s incident in southwest Washington, between the World War II Memorial and the Tidal Basin.

Authorities say an argument occurred among several occupants of Holmes’ car. At least one shot was fired, which shattered the rear passenger side window, Woods says. No injuries were reported.

Police say a gun was recovered about a mile from where the shooting was reported.

Bush reports for jury duty in Dallas

DALLAS – Former President George W. Bush may once have been commander in chief but that apparently didn’t help him when he showed up for jury duty at a Dallas courthouse.

The 43rd president was not chosen for a jury Wednesday but did have his picture taken with people before leaving after a few hours.