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| California wildfires: planes deployed to fight flames north of Los Angeles – live | California wildfires: planes deployed to fight flames north of Los Angeles – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| California has over the past two decades has experienced an upswing of large, dangerous fires – 15 of the 20 largest wildfires in state history have occurred since 2000 – and they’re most likely to happen at this time of the year, when vegetation is bone-dry and hot, gusty winds whip through the state. | |
| The Washington Post has a good description of the way winds contribute to California’s wildfires. | The Washington Post has a good description of the way winds contribute to California’s wildfires. |
| This extreme weather event is occurring during the time of year when desiccating and damaging offshore winds tend to rage in parts of California. | This extreme weather event is occurring during the time of year when desiccating and damaging offshore winds tend to rage in parts of California. |
| In northern California, these winds are known as Diablo winds, while in southern California, they’re given a slightly less frightening name: Santa Ana winds. In both cases, they form from weather systems over and around the state that in a certain configuration can funnel air at high speeds through the narrow canyons around Los Angeles, for example, and from mountain peaks to valleys in California wine country. | |
| As the air is compressed, it tends to heat up, leading to temperatures along the coastline well above average. Highs in the Los Angeles and San Diego metro areas on Thursday were into the 90s, and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar was the hottest spot in the Lower 48 states, with a high of 102 degrees. | As the air is compressed, it tends to heat up, leading to temperatures along the coastline well above average. Highs in the Los Angeles and San Diego metro areas on Thursday were into the 90s, and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar was the hottest spot in the Lower 48 states, with a high of 102 degrees. |
| And conditions could expected to worsen over the weekend, especially in northern California, where dangerously dry air will combine with strong winds that could reach up to 75mph. | |
| Gavin Newsom, the California governor, this afternoon visited the area affected by the Kincade fire, north of Santa Rosa, where nearly 22,000 acres and at least 49 buildings have burned – and as of the governor’s visit the fire was only 5% contained. | Gavin Newsom, the California governor, this afternoon visited the area affected by the Kincade fire, north of Santa Rosa, where nearly 22,000 acres and at least 49 buildings have burned – and as of the governor’s visit the fire was only 5% contained. |
| PG&E, California’s biggest utility that’s already been held liable for sparking previous fires, says a broken jumper wire was found on a transmission tower near where the fire broke out. | PG&E, California’s biggest utility that’s already been held liable for sparking previous fires, says a broken jumper wire was found on a transmission tower near where the fire broke out. |
| Newsom said the area looked like a “war zone” and took note of the unpredictable way fires tear through communities. | Newsom said the area looked like a “war zone” and took note of the unpredictable way fires tear through communities. |
| Touring the area affected by the #KincadeFire today, @GavinNewsom says he saw “homes destroyed, cars that look like they’ve been in a war zone, everything melted down except a few curious items — right next door, homes nearly untouched.” pic.twitter.com/zaePe7XNJf | Touring the area affected by the #KincadeFire today, @GavinNewsom says he saw “homes destroyed, cars that look like they’ve been in a war zone, everything melted down except a few curious items — right next door, homes nearly untouched.” pic.twitter.com/zaePe7XNJf |
| Evacuations are underway in San Diego county, where a blaze firefighters have called the Miller fire has broken out. Helicopters are currently circling over the community telling residents over a loudspeaker to leave. | Evacuations are underway in San Diego county, where a blaze firefighters have called the Miller fire has broken out. Helicopters are currently circling over the community telling residents over a loudspeaker to leave. |
| The fire started around 1pm and by 1.32pm Cal Fire said the fire was at six acres and burning in heavy fuels, NBC 7 San Diego reported. | The fire started around 1pm and by 1.32pm Cal Fire said the fire was at six acres and burning in heavy fuels, NBC 7 San Diego reported. |
| The NBC 7 meteorologist Sheena Parveen said fast-moving, dry winds could could make the firefight more challenging. | The NBC 7 meteorologist Sheena Parveen said fast-moving, dry winds could could make the firefight more challenging. |
| “Right now is the worst of it. Things will be getting better as we head through the late afternoon hours and especially as we head into the evening,” Parveen said. | “Right now is the worst of it. Things will be getting better as we head through the late afternoon hours and especially as we head into the evening,” Parveen said. |
| Thomas Shoots, a Cal Fire captain, said it’s especially important for those with compromised immune systems to evacuate early to avoid breathing in the smoke. | Thomas Shoots, a Cal Fire captain, said it’s especially important for those with compromised immune systems to evacuate early to avoid breathing in the smoke. |
| “When it comes to air quality, really – you don’t have to be in an evacuation order area to really experience and have issues. Anybody who already has a compromised immune system, already has trouble getting down to their house – those people, we want to evacuate early,” Shoots told NBC 7. | “When it comes to air quality, really – you don’t have to be in an evacuation order area to really experience and have issues. Anybody who already has a compromised immune system, already has trouble getting down to their house – those people, we want to evacuate early,” Shoots told NBC 7. |
| Mario Koran here, picking up where my colleague Vivian Ho left off. | Mario Koran here, picking up where my colleague Vivian Ho left off. |
| Vivian, by the way, has been in the field for much of the week reporting on the fires from the ground. In all the coverage about power shutoffs and how they’ve been handled by the PG&E power company, one thing it’s easy to lose sight of is the fact that actually being stuck in the middle of a fire would be, well, completely terrifying. | Vivian, by the way, has been in the field for much of the week reporting on the fires from the ground. In all the coverage about power shutoffs and how they’ve been handled by the PG&E power company, one thing it’s easy to lose sight of is the fact that actually being stuck in the middle of a fire would be, well, completely terrifying. |
| Here’s a description of a story from yesterday, where Viv talked to folks camped out at a shelter near Geyserville, north of Santa Rosa, that helps put the fire in a more visceral perspective: | Here’s a description of a story from yesterday, where Viv talked to folks camped out at a shelter near Geyserville, north of Santa Rosa, that helps put the fire in a more visceral perspective: |
| At the Healdsburg community center near Geyserville, which became a makeshift American Red Cross shelter on Thursday, evacuees milled around the outdoor spaces, checking their phones and waiting for news. | At the Healdsburg community center near Geyserville, which became a makeshift American Red Cross shelter on Thursday, evacuees milled around the outdoor spaces, checking their phones and waiting for news. |
| “I’m sleepwalking,” said Tina Tavares, 70. Tavares and her husband, Victor, woke to pitch-black chaos at 5.30am. | “I’m sleepwalking,” said Tina Tavares, 70. Tavares and her husband, Victor, woke to pitch-black chaos at 5.30am. |
| “You wake up and they’ve turned off the electricity and all of a sudden you don’t know where you’re going,” Tavares said. “You go into a wall and you’re feeling around because you can’t feel anything and you have somebody banging on your door saying, ‘Get out, get out!’ | “You wake up and they’ve turned off the electricity and all of a sudden you don’t know where you’re going,” Tavares said. “You go into a wall and you’re feeling around because you can’t feel anything and you have somebody banging on your door saying, ‘Get out, get out!’ |
| “The smoke was so thick you couldn’t see my hand,” she said. “All you could see was red, red, red, red. I just covered my mouth and got right into the car.” | “The smoke was so thick you couldn’t see my hand,” she said. “All you could see was red, red, red, red. I just covered my mouth and got right into the car.” |
| Read the rest of the piece here. | Read the rest of the piece here. |
| Passing the blog on to my colleague Mario Koran. In the meantime, take a look at our slideshow of photos from the wildfires: | Passing the blog on to my colleague Mario Koran. In the meantime, take a look at our slideshow of photos from the wildfires: |
| California wildfires: flames leave destruction across the state – in pictures | California wildfires: flames leave destruction across the state – in pictures |
| Pacific Gas and Electric is considering yet another massive power shutoff across 36 of the state’s 58 counties, starting Saturday evening and heading into Monday morning. Just like the one the took place earlier this month, this one will include parts of Oakland, Berkeley and the coast as well as the Sierra foothills. | Pacific Gas and Electric is considering yet another massive power shutoff across 36 of the state’s 58 counties, starting Saturday evening and heading into Monday morning. Just like the one the took place earlier this month, this one will include parts of Oakland, Berkeley and the coast as well as the Sierra foothills. |
| Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, has issued an emergency proclamation for Sonoma and Los Angeles counties for the Kincade fire and the Tick fire. | Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, has issued an emergency proclamation for Sonoma and Los Angeles counties for the Kincade fire and the Tick fire. |
| Governor @GavinNewsom today issued an emergency proclamation for Sonoma & Los Angeles counties due to the effects of the #KincadeFire & #TickFire, which have destroyed structures, threatened homes, & caused the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents. https://t.co/Yrqcq7qIbS | Governor @GavinNewsom today issued an emergency proclamation for Sonoma & Los Angeles counties due to the effects of the #KincadeFire & #TickFire, which have destroyed structures, threatened homes, & caused the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents. https://t.co/Yrqcq7qIbS |
| Let’s take a look back at the power shutoffs that have been taking place around the state in hopes of preventing wildfires. | Let’s take a look back at the power shutoffs that have been taking place around the state in hopes of preventing wildfires. |
| First, read my brilliant colleague Susie Cagle for some background on what exactly is going on with these power outages: | First, read my brilliant colleague Susie Cagle for some background on what exactly is going on with these power outages: |
| California power shutoffs: when your public utility is owned by private investors | California power shutoffs: when your public utility is owned by private investors |
| Long story short, California’s utility companies - in particular, Pacific Gas and Electric, the country’s largest investor-owned utility - have a history of sparking wildfires. They have decided to shut off power during high-fire weather in regions with high-fire risk. | Long story short, California’s utility companies - in particular, Pacific Gas and Electric, the country’s largest investor-owned utility - have a history of sparking wildfires. They have decided to shut off power during high-fire weather in regions with high-fire risk. |
| These outages got national attention this month when they hit the Bay Area. Fair enough – there’s an irony in the tech-rich Silicon Valley and generally actually dollar-rich wine country existing without electricity. But there’s been talk that these outages affect only the privileged, and that’s just wrong. And that’s why I’m making all of you sit through this blogpost. | These outages got national attention this month when they hit the Bay Area. Fair enough – there’s an irony in the tech-rich Silicon Valley and generally actually dollar-rich wine country existing without electricity. But there’s been talk that these outages affect only the privileged, and that’s just wrong. And that’s why I’m making all of you sit through this blogpost. |
| Yes, California is the fifth-largest economy in the world. Yes, new tech millionaires do street-park their Teslas and flaunt their wealth like it will never run out. But the Bay Area is only a small portion of the shutoff zones. And there were a number of previous outages that occurred around the state before the two massive ones that drew national attention this month. | Yes, California is the fifth-largest economy in the world. Yes, new tech millionaires do street-park their Teslas and flaunt their wealth like it will never run out. But the Bay Area is only a small portion of the shutoff zones. And there were a number of previous outages that occurred around the state before the two massive ones that drew national attention this month. |
| In Butte county, one of the regions most affected by both wildfires and the power outages, the per capita income is $26,000. This was the county that was hit hard by the 2018 Camp fire, and here, 18.1% live in poverty. | In Butte county, one of the regions most affected by both wildfires and the power outages, the per capita income is $26,000. This was the county that was hit hard by the 2018 Camp fire, and here, 18.1% live in poverty. |
| In Lake county, which was hit hard by the Valley fire in 2015, the per capita income is $23,000. Here, 20.2% live in poverty. | In Lake county, which was hit hard by the Valley fire in 2015, the per capita income is $23,000. Here, 20.2% live in poverty. |
| “Not everybody can go out and get a generator,” 59-year-old Deanne Mediati told me in an interview earlier this month. “They’re expensive. These are the easy solutions everybody has, but until you’ve lived it, shut your mouth.” | “Not everybody can go out and get a generator,” 59-year-old Deanne Mediati told me in an interview earlier this month. “They’re expensive. These are the easy solutions everybody has, but until you’ve lived it, shut your mouth.” |
| Mediati lives in Grass Valley, where the per capita income is $27,000 and 26.3% live in poverty. She also has hypoxia, and each power outage means she has to use oxygen tanks instead of an oxygen concentrator – a costly expense. | Mediati lives in Grass Valley, where the per capita income is $27,000 and 26.3% live in poverty. She also has hypoxia, and each power outage means she has to use oxygen tanks instead of an oxygen concentrator – a costly expense. |
| So let this be a reminder that these outages definitely don’t just affect the privileged. “There’s kind of this myth that disasters affect everyone and they’re this great equalizer and that’s just absolutely not true,” said Samantha Montano, an assistant professor of emergency management and disaster science at the University of Nebraska Omaha – and in the case of the shutoffs, people with disabilities and lower income suffered the most. | So let this be a reminder that these outages definitely don’t just affect the privileged. “There’s kind of this myth that disasters affect everyone and they’re this great equalizer and that’s just absolutely not true,” said Samantha Montano, an assistant professor of emergency management and disaster science at the University of Nebraska Omaha – and in the case of the shutoffs, people with disabilities and lower income suffered the most. |
| “If you’re middle class and have money in the bank, losing a refrigerator worth of food isn’t great, but you can go out and replace that and be OK,” Montano said. “But a family living paycheck to paycheck, they’re going to be struggling to be able to replace that food that is lost. That is another example where we’re seeing a disproportional impact.” | “If you’re middle class and have money in the bank, losing a refrigerator worth of food isn’t great, but you can go out and replace that and be OK,” Montano said. “But a family living paycheck to paycheck, they’re going to be struggling to be able to replace that food that is lost. That is another example where we’re seeing a disproportional impact.” |
| My intrepid colleague Sam Levin is still on the scene of Tick fire evacuations in southern California, and he’s reporting on a crucial issue that often comes up during these disasters – what to do with evacuees’ pets. | My intrepid colleague Sam Levin is still on the scene of Tick fire evacuations in southern California, and he’s reporting on a crucial issue that often comes up during these disasters – what to do with evacuees’ pets. |
| Trish Bathory, 28, says her dog, Zeus, got covered in ash from the #tickfire. “He needs a bath.”“I’m trying to tire him out. If he gets sleep, then I can get sleep.”She evacuated at 3am and still doesn’t know the status of her home. pic.twitter.com/88iqSEw0yz | Trish Bathory, 28, says her dog, Zeus, got covered in ash from the #tickfire. “He needs a bath.”“I’m trying to tire him out. If he gets sleep, then I can get sleep.”She evacuated at 3am and still doesn’t know the status of her home. pic.twitter.com/88iqSEw0yz |
| Nancy Hilliard, 66, evacuated with seven dogs and five cats. She’s built a makeshift tent to try to protect them from the hot sun, but the wind keeps blowing it down.#TickFire pic.twitter.com/sFcmkuVJZB | Nancy Hilliard, 66, evacuated with seven dogs and five cats. She’s built a makeshift tent to try to protect them from the hot sun, but the wind keeps blowing it down.#TickFire pic.twitter.com/sFcmkuVJZB |
| When I was up north at an American Red Cross evacuation center for Kincade fire evacuees yesterday, Sonoma county authorities had the Cuddle Shuttle parked out front for small pets to get out of the heat and rest while their owners figured out what to do. Tina Tavares, 70, who fled her Geyserville home amid a cloud of smoke with her husband, Victor, and two chihuahua mixes, Jake and Savannah, made good use of the Cuddle Shuttle, putting her pups away while she and Victor caught their breath. | When I was up north at an American Red Cross evacuation center for Kincade fire evacuees yesterday, Sonoma county authorities had the Cuddle Shuttle parked out front for small pets to get out of the heat and rest while their owners figured out what to do. Tina Tavares, 70, who fled her Geyserville home amid a cloud of smoke with her husband, Victor, and two chihuahua mixes, Jake and Savannah, made good use of the Cuddle Shuttle, putting her pups away while she and Victor caught their breath. |
| Hey all, Vivian Ho taking over the blog for now. Here’s a quick update on where everything stands: | Hey all, Vivian Ho taking over the blog for now. Here’s a quick update on where everything stands: |
| The Kincade fire in the Sonoma county wine region in the north San Francisco Bay Area has now burned up 21,900 acres and destroyed 49 homes, businesses and other structures. | The Kincade fire in the Sonoma county wine region in the north San Francisco Bay Area has now burned up 21,900 acres and destroyed 49 homes, businesses and other structures. |
| The Tick fire in the northern Los Angeles county community of Santa Clarita has now burned up 4,300 acres. | The Tick fire in the northern Los Angeles county community of Santa Clarita has now burned up 4,300 acres. |
| Both fires are only 5% contained – for those unfamiliar with wildfire terminology, containment means exactly what it sounds like. Firefighters try to establish a perimeter around the blaze to keep it from spreading. It’s tough, arduous work that requires more than just hoses and water – it’s a lot of digging, pushing flames toward natural barriers like cliffsides, cutting down vegetation and sometimes setting more fire in holding lines to scorch the earth and prevent the uncontrollable wildfire from catching. Containment can fluctuate – at one briefing the public information officer will say it’s 5% contained and then later in the day it will only be 3% –- that’s because these situations are incredibly fluid and despite the firefighters’ best efforts, wildfires will grow in size and affect containment percentages. | Both fires are only 5% contained – for those unfamiliar with wildfire terminology, containment means exactly what it sounds like. Firefighters try to establish a perimeter around the blaze to keep it from spreading. It’s tough, arduous work that requires more than just hoses and water – it’s a lot of digging, pushing flames toward natural barriers like cliffsides, cutting down vegetation and sometimes setting more fire in holding lines to scorch the earth and prevent the uncontrollable wildfire from catching. Containment can fluctuate – at one briefing the public information officer will say it’s 5% contained and then later in the day it will only be 3% –- that’s because these situations are incredibly fluid and despite the firefighters’ best efforts, wildfires will grow in size and affect containment percentages. |
| The wildfires are still raging in northern and southern California and folks are in for an anxious Friday and a dangerous weekend. | The wildfires are still raging in northern and southern California and folks are in for an anxious Friday and a dangerous weekend. |
| I’m handing over from New York to my colleague in California, Vivian Ho, now, and she’ll take you though the afternoon. | I’m handing over from New York to my colleague in California, Vivian Ho, now, and she’ll take you though the afternoon. |
| Here are the main developments of note so far today: | Here are the main developments of note so far today: |
| California’s largest utility company, PG&E, admits it may have started the Kincade fire now raging in wine country. Its shares took a hit. | California’s largest utility company, PG&E, admits it may have started the Kincade fire now raging in wine country. Its shares took a hit. |
| In southern California, residents of the Santa Clarita valley north of Los Angeles have spoken to the Guardian’s Sam Levin, there, about evacuating from the Tick fire, some by the skin of their teeth. Talk of the climate crisis is in the air. | In southern California, residents of the Santa Clarita valley north of Los Angeles have spoken to the Guardian’s Sam Levin, there, about evacuating from the Tick fire, some by the skin of their teeth. Talk of the climate crisis is in the air. |
| San Francisco and area airports are likely to be affected by smoke blowing down from the Kincade fire. | San Francisco and area airports are likely to be affected by smoke blowing down from the Kincade fire. |
| Public schools in the Los Angeles unified school district are closed today, including all those in the San Fernando Valley. | Public schools in the Los Angeles unified school district are closed today, including all those in the San Fernando Valley. |
| The pink stuff | The pink stuff |
| Here’s LA county fire department battling to contain the Tick fire. | Here’s LA county fire department battling to contain the Tick fire. |
| #TickFire @LACOFD Firefighters braving arduous conditions shoring up and reinforcing containment lines. Supported by fixed wing retardant dropping aircraft the difficult work separating burned fuel from unburned vegetation continues. pic.twitter.com/gxSUcXyiCn | #TickFire @LACOFD Firefighters braving arduous conditions shoring up and reinforcing containment lines. Supported by fixed wing retardant dropping aircraft the difficult work separating burned fuel from unburned vegetation continues. pic.twitter.com/gxSUcXyiCn |
| And more smoke coming your way. | And more smoke coming your way. |
| SMOKE ADVISORY UPDATE: advisory extended through Saturday morning as #TickFire near #SantaClarita continues to burn: https://t.co/Y158Op74tv https://t.co/iGxSbjtBwW | SMOKE ADVISORY UPDATE: advisory extended through Saturday morning as #TickFire near #SantaClarita continues to burn: https://t.co/Y158Op74tv https://t.co/iGxSbjtBwW |
| California’s biggest utility, Pacific Gas & Electric, on Friday admitted its electrical equipment may have ignited the ruinous wildfire spreading over the state’s wine country, despite blackouts imposed across the region to prevent blazes. | California’s biggest utility, Pacific Gas & Electric, on Friday admitted its electrical equipment may have ignited the ruinous wildfire spreading over the state’s wine country, despite blackouts imposed across the region to prevent blazes. |
| The disclosure came as firefighters simultaneously battled flames in both northern and southern California: the fire amid Sonoma County’s vineyards, called the Kincade fire and a wind-whipped blaze that destroyed homes near Los Angeles, in Tick Canyon in the Santa Clarita valley, labeled the Tick fire. | The disclosure came as firefighters simultaneously battled flames in both northern and southern California: the fire amid Sonoma County’s vineyards, called the Kincade fire and a wind-whipped blaze that destroyed homes near Los Angeles, in Tick Canyon in the Santa Clarita valley, labeled the Tick fire. |
| The fire near the northern California town of Geyserville has burned at least 49 buildings and 34 sq miles and prompted evacuation orders for some 2,000 people, the Associated Press writes. | The fire near the northern California town of Geyserville has burned at least 49 buildings and 34 sq miles and prompted evacuation orders for some 2,000 people, the Associated Press writes. |
| It was driven by the strong winds that had prompted Pacific Gas & Electric to impose sweeping blackouts affecting a half-million people in northern and central California. Power was restored to most people by Thursday evening, PG&E said. | It was driven by the strong winds that had prompted Pacific Gas & Electric to impose sweeping blackouts affecting a half-million people in northern and central California. Power was restored to most people by Thursday evening, PG&E said. |
| PG&E resorted to shutoffs after fallen power lines and other electrical equipment were blamed for several blazes in recent years that killed scores of people, burned thousands of homes and ran up billions of dollars in claims that drove the utility into bankruptcy. | PG&E resorted to shutoffs after fallen power lines and other electrical equipment were blamed for several blazes in recent years that killed scores of people, burned thousands of homes and ran up billions of dollars in claims that drove the utility into bankruptcy. |
| The PG&E CEO, Bill Johnson, said it was too soon to know if the faulty equipment sparked the fire. | The PG&E CEO, Bill Johnson, said it was too soon to know if the faulty equipment sparked the fire. |
| He said the tower had been inspected four times in the past two years and appeared to have been in excellent condition. | He said the tower had been inspected four times in the past two years and appeared to have been in excellent condition. |
| Investors were leery, though, and PG&E stock fell more than 20% during the day. | Investors were leery, though, and PG&E stock fell more than 20% during the day. |
| In shutting off the electricity, PG&E cut power to the distribution lines that supply homes, but not to its long-distance transmission lines. | In shutting off the electricity, PG&E cut power to the distribution lines that supply homes, but not to its long-distance transmission lines. |
| High winds in northern California had died down on Friday morning, but they are expected to pick up over the weekend, with gusts of 40 to 60mph in many places. PG&E warned it may black out an even larger region. | High winds in northern California had died down on Friday morning, but they are expected to pick up over the weekend, with gusts of 40 to 60mph in many places. PG&E warned it may black out an even larger region. |
| The PG&E chief meteorologist, Scott Strenfel, said northern California could be in for the strongest offshore winds in years. | The PG&E chief meteorologist, Scott Strenfel, said northern California could be in for the strongest offshore winds in years. |
| ‘With global warming I do worry’ | ‘With global warming I do worry’ |
| Large wildfires require a cocktail of conditions, such as favorable wind speed and direction, fuel, terrain and, of course, ignition, which can be as simple as a trailer throwing sparks by scraping on a road, my Guardian US environment reporter colleague Oliver Milman wrote in a report after the last bout of devastating wildfires in California. | Large wildfires require a cocktail of conditions, such as favorable wind speed and direction, fuel, terrain and, of course, ignition, which can be as simple as a trailer throwing sparks by scraping on a road, my Guardian US environment reporter colleague Oliver Milman wrote in a report after the last bout of devastating wildfires in California. |
| Broadly speaking, however, the climate crisis is making conditions more conducive to wildfires in the American west. Of the 20 largest wildfires in California’s recorded history, 15 have occurred since 2000, at a time when forests have become drier and warmer. | Broadly speaking, however, the climate crisis is making conditions more conducive to wildfires in the American west. Of the 20 largest wildfires in California’s recorded history, 15 have occurred since 2000, at a time when forests have become drier and warmer. |
| Since 1970, temperatures in the west have increased by about double the global average, lengthening the western wildfire season by several months and drying out large tracts of forests, making them more fire-prone. | Since 1970, temperatures in the west have increased by about double the global average, lengthening the western wildfire season by several months and drying out large tracts of forests, making them more fire-prone. |
| “Climate change is increasing the vulnerability of many forests to ecosystem changes and tree mortality through fire, insect infestations, drought and disease outbreaks,” a major climate assessment by the US government states. | “Climate change is increasing the vulnerability of many forests to ecosystem changes and tree mortality through fire, insect infestations, drought and disease outbreaks,” a major climate assessment by the US government states. |
| Out in Santa Clarita this morning, our reporter in the field, Sam Levin, caught an echo from one evacuee, Jeanne Weiss. | Out in Santa Clarita this morning, our reporter in the field, Sam Levin, caught an echo from one evacuee, Jeanne Weiss. |
| Jeanne Weiss, 50, said this is the first time she has had to evacuate. “We had everything packed and we were ready.” Her four cats are safe, she said.She is concerned about having to keep doing this. “With global warming, I do worry.” #TickFire pic.twitter.com/WVs5rLtUZE | Jeanne Weiss, 50, said this is the first time she has had to evacuate. “We had everything packed and we were ready.” Her four cats are safe, she said.She is concerned about having to keep doing this. “With global warming, I do worry.” #TickFire pic.twitter.com/WVs5rLtUZE |
| ‘We have everything that’s important to us here right now’ | ‘We have everything that’s important to us here right now’ |
| The Guardian’s LA correspondent, Sam Levin, rushed to the Tick fire zone this morning and has been speaking to people who escaped the flames by a squeak. | The Guardian’s LA correspondent, Sam Levin, rushed to the Tick fire zone this morning and has been speaking to people who escaped the flames by a squeak. |
| Hunter Cerda, 26, and mom Sharell, 57, evacuated with five dogs. “We have everything that’s important to us here right now. Everything else can be replaced” Sharell said. Even if their home is safe this time, “We are for sure going to catch fire again,” said Hunter. #TickFire pic.twitter.com/DexTx5552R | Hunter Cerda, 26, and mom Sharell, 57, evacuated with five dogs. “We have everything that’s important to us here right now. Everything else can be replaced” Sharell said. Even if their home is safe this time, “We are for sure going to catch fire again,” said Hunter. #TickFire pic.twitter.com/DexTx5552R |
| He popped into an evacuation center in Santa Clarita. | He popped into an evacuation center in Santa Clarita. |
| Here’s one of the #TickFire evacuation centers in Santa Clarita. Red Cross here says 400 people have come through. Everyone is waiting for news about when they can return home — and if their homes are ok. pic.twitter.com/PnzvmxWvP9 | Here’s one of the #TickFire evacuation centers in Santa Clarita. Red Cross here says 400 people have come through. Everyone is waiting for news about when they can return home — and if their homes are ok. pic.twitter.com/PnzvmxWvP9 |
| ‘There was a wall of black smoke’ | ‘There was a wall of black smoke’ |
| Charles Lindsey, 68, says the #tickfire started a mile from his house. “There was a wall of black smoke ... then 20 to 30 foot flames.”He spent hours trying to protect his home but eventually had to evacuate. pic.twitter.com/dqzARFEu9D | Charles Lindsey, 68, says the #tickfire started a mile from his house. “There was a wall of black smoke ... then 20 to 30 foot flames.”He spent hours trying to protect his home but eventually had to evacuate. pic.twitter.com/dqzARFEu9D |
| ‘It was the strongest wind we’ve ever experienced’ | ‘It was the strongest wind we’ve ever experienced’ |
| People who have fled the Tick wildfire in the Santa Clarita Valley about 40 miles from Los Angeles have been talking to my reporter colleague on the spot, Sam Levin. | People who have fled the Tick wildfire in the Santa Clarita Valley about 40 miles from Los Angeles have been talking to my reporter colleague on the spot, Sam Levin. |
| At #TickFire evacuation center, Brenda Taylor said this is the 8th or 9th time her family has had to evacuate in the last 20 years — and the closest call.“It was the strongest wind we’ve ever experienced,” she said. “It sounded unreal, almost like we were in a tornado.” pic.twitter.com/ZyweHbrzdi | At #TickFire evacuation center, Brenda Taylor said this is the 8th or 9th time her family has had to evacuate in the last 20 years — and the closest call.“It was the strongest wind we’ve ever experienced,” she said. “It sounded unreal, almost like we were in a tornado.” pic.twitter.com/ZyweHbrzdi |
| Brenda Taylor, 46, estimated that her family has had to evacuate eight or nine times in the last 20 years. | Brenda Taylor, 46, estimated that her family has had to evacuate eight or nine times in the last 20 years. |
| “It has become the normal for us,” she said, as her two dogs ran in circles and barked outside an evacuation center in Santa Clarita. “They get really stressed,” she told Sam Levin. | “It has become the normal for us,” she said, as her two dogs ran in circles and barked outside an evacuation center in Santa Clarita. “They get really stressed,” she told Sam Levin. |
| She said this was one of the closest calls she has ever experienced. | She said this was one of the closest calls she has ever experienced. |
| “The wind was very, very loud and aggressive,” she said. “You could see the flames. It looked like it was right there.” | “The wind was very, very loud and aggressive,” she said. “You could see the flames. It looked like it was right there.” |
| She said she’s grown accustomed to fleeing fires. | She said she’s grown accustomed to fleeing fires. |
| “Yes this is a home, but it’s a house so let’s just get out,” she said, adding that she grabbed photos and her children’s diplomas. “I’ve just gotten used to it. This is life out here.” | “Yes this is a home, but it’s a house so let’s just get out,” she said, adding that she grabbed photos and her children’s diplomas. “I’ve just gotten used to it. This is life out here.” |
| ‘Confident we can put a dent in this’ | ‘Confident we can put a dent in this’ |
| That’s the most optimistic lens the LA county fire department can put on the Tick wildfire raging now, which began in Tick Canyon (such a pretty name) and has spread “aggressively” in the Santa Clarita Valley north of Los Angeles in the last 24 hours. | That’s the most optimistic lens the LA county fire department can put on the Tick wildfire raging now, which began in Tick Canyon (such a pretty name) and has spread “aggressively” in the Santa Clarita Valley north of Los Angeles in the last 24 hours. |
| The operations section chief Mike Inman just issued an update saying the fire’s rapid spread was hastened by 30mph winds and it was a 2am “significant wind event” today that caused it to jump the 14 Freeway on the south-eastern flank of the fire. There is also a northern flank as it spreads west. | The operations section chief Mike Inman just issued an update saying the fire’s rapid spread was hastened by 30mph winds and it was a 2am “significant wind event” today that caused it to jump the 14 Freeway on the south-eastern flank of the fire. There is also a northern flank as it spreads west. |
| Inman said the fire crews are battling on the ground but fire retardant issued from aircraft is what they expect will help to contain the fire on both flanks as the day goes on. | Inman said the fire crews are battling on the ground but fire retardant issued from aircraft is what they expect will help to contain the fire on both flanks as the day goes on. |
| “We are confident we can put a dent in this,” he said. | “We are confident we can put a dent in this,” he said. |
| Here’s a tweet of the operational update from just moments ago. | Here’s a tweet of the operational update from just moments ago. |
| #TickFire *Operational Update* Friday October 23, 2019@LACOFD @SCVSHERIFF pic.twitter.com/WqvRZzfFin | #TickFire *Operational Update* Friday October 23, 2019@LACOFD @SCVSHERIFF pic.twitter.com/WqvRZzfFin |