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Two untamed wildfires displace 23,000 people in northern California Two untamed wildfires displace 23,000 people in northern California
(about 1 hour later)
Two explosive wildfires have displaced 23,000 people in northern California and threaten to wreak more devastation in rural communities which have lost hundreds of homes. Related: By the numbers: a look at the California wildfires so far
The so-called Valley fire in Lake county raged untamed on Monday after incinerating 61,000 acres, or 95 square miles, in just two days. Two explosive wildfires have displaced 23,000 people in northern California and threaten to wreak more devastation in rural communities, which have lost hundreds of homes.
The so-called Valley fire in Lake County raged untamed on Monday after incinerating 61,000 acres, or 95 square miles, in just two days.
Overcast weather grounded firefighting airplanes and helicopters, leaving ground crews to battle without air cover and prompting warnings of worse to come from a blaze that is just 5% contained.Overcast weather grounded firefighting airplanes and helicopters, leaving ground crews to battle without air cover and prompting warnings of worse to come from a blaze that is just 5% contained.
“Firefighters from across California are aggressively fighting the Valley fire that has continued to spread in hot, windy conditions,” said the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).“Firefighters from across California are aggressively fighting the Valley fire that has continued to spread in hot, windy conditions,” said the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).
“The fire continues to grow as firefighters work to construct fire lines, while protecting lives and property.”“The fire continues to grow as firefighters work to construct fire lines, while protecting lives and property.”
The blaze has consumed 400 homes plus hundreds of other structures, and law enforcement is investigating a report of a civilian fatality, the agency said. Some 1,255 personnel were fighting the fire, it added.The blaze has consumed 400 homes plus hundreds of other structures, and law enforcement is investigating a report of a civilian fatality, the agency said. Some 1,255 personnel were fighting the fire, it added.
Since erupting on Saturday the fire’s speed and ferocity has astonished experts, who said it moved faster than any other in California’s recent history. Sheriff Brian Martin called it the worst tragedy ever seen in Lake county, 20 miles north of Napa winelands. Since erupting on Saturday the fire’s speed and ferocity has astonished experts, who said it moved faster than any other in California’s recent history. Sheriff Brian Martin called it the worst tragedy ever seen in Lake County, 20 miles north of Napa winelands.
People fled amid billowing smoke, smouldering telephone poles, downed power lines and fallen trees.People fled amid billowing smoke, smouldering telephone poles, downed power lines and fallen trees.
Mark Ghilarducci, director of Office of Emergency Services, told a news conference it drove about 13,000 from their homes over the weekend.Mark Ghilarducci, director of Office of Emergency Services, told a news conference it drove about 13,000 from their homes over the weekend.
Another 10,000 people fled a second blaze, the so-called Butte fire about 200 miles away in the Sierra Nevada. Since flaring on 9 September it has scorched 71,000 acres and more than a hundred homes and buildings. It is 30% contained.Another 10,000 people fled a second blaze, the so-called Butte fire about 200 miles away in the Sierra Nevada. Since flaring on 9 September it has scorched 71,000 acres and more than a hundred homes and buildings. It is 30% contained.
Four firefighters, members of a helicopter crew, were injured on Saturday amid wind gusts which reached 30mph, sending embers raining on homes. “This has been a tragic reminder to us of the dangers this drought is posing,” said Daniel Berlant, a Cal Fire spokesperson.Four firefighters, members of a helicopter crew, were injured on Saturday amid wind gusts which reached 30mph, sending embers raining on homes. “This has been a tragic reminder to us of the dangers this drought is posing,” said Daniel Berlant, a Cal Fire spokesperson.
The injured firefighters were airlifted to a hospital burn unit and treated for second-degree burns. Berlant said their condition was stable.The injured firefighters were airlifted to a hospital burn unit and treated for second-degree burns. Berlant said their condition was stable.
The displaced have thronged evacuation centres. Those who spent Sunday night at the Napa County Fairgrounds awoke on Monday to a breakfast of eggs, bacon and doughnuts. They milled eating, walking their dogs and sifting through donations of food, clothing, shoes, diapers and dog food.The displaced have thronged evacuation centres. Those who spent Sunday night at the Napa County Fairgrounds awoke on Monday to a breakfast of eggs, bacon and doughnuts. They milled eating, walking their dogs and sifting through donations of food, clothing, shoes, diapers and dog food.
Nancy O’ Byrne was evacuated from her home in Middletown, which is reportedly half-destroyed,, said her home was still standing. She said she felt “very, very, very lucky”. Nancy O’ Byrne was evacuated from her home in Middletown, which is reportedly half-destroyed, said her home was still standing. She said she felt “very, very, very lucky”.
Related: California drought: Sierra Nevada snowpack falls to 500-year low
Michael Alan Patrick had been at the fairgrounds since Saturday and lost everything in the blaze.Michael Alan Patrick had been at the fairgrounds since Saturday and lost everything in the blaze.
When the fire broke out, he had been sitting in a Middletown park with his friends and saw the flames coming. He said it was like looking through a tunnel.When the fire broke out, he had been sitting in a Middletown park with his friends and saw the flames coming. He said it was like looking through a tunnel.
Forecasters say Northern California weather conditions are changing as low pressure approaches the West Coast. That will mean cooling, increasing winds, higher humidity and showers, with more widespread rain Wednesday.Forecasters say Northern California weather conditions are changing as low pressure approaches the West Coast. That will mean cooling, increasing winds, higher humidity and showers, with more widespread rain Wednesday.
Governor Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency in affected areas to to free up resources.Governor Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency in affected areas to to free up resources.
A four-year drought has has created unprecedented tinderbox conditions. The practice of fighting fires, paradoxically, has exacerbated the risk by interrupting a natural cycle of burning which used to consume dry scrub and other fuel.A four-year drought has has created unprecedented tinderbox conditions. The practice of fighting fires, paradoxically, has exacerbated the risk by interrupting a natural cycle of burning which used to consume dry scrub and other fuel.
The historic nature of the drought was underlined in a study published in the journal Nature Climate Change on Monday which estimated that the Sierra Nevada snowpack is at its lowest level in more than 500 years.The historic nature of the drought was underlined in a study published in the journal Nature Climate Change on Monday which estimated that the Sierra Nevada snowpack is at its lowest level in more than 500 years.