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| California: wildfires ravage state as 2 million face looming blackouts – live | California: wildfires ravage state as 2 million face looming blackouts – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The lights are back on for 99% of the customers who lost power in the latest planned power shut down, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) reports. | |
| As of 5:00 p.m. the only customers who remained in the dark are those living in Sonoma County, where the Kincade Fire has been burning since Wednesday night. PG&E says about 178,000 customers were impacted by the shutdown, including the Sierra Foothills, North Bay, San Mateo and Kern counties. | |
| Here’s a timelapse video of Kincade fire. | |
| #BREAKING : I just shot this timelapse video showing a huge flareup developing at the #KincadeFire . I was the only reporter allowed this far up Pine Flat Road because I was just returning from the frontlines when the flareup happened. @kron4news pic.twitter.com/eMrcCbPPsy | |
| California governor Gavin Newsom today pledged $75 m to help communities prepare for future blackouts and wildfires. | |
| The grant funding can be used to purchase generators and generator connections, fuel storage or backup energy sources or to improve critical infrastructure. Partly because of climate change, both wildfires and blackouts are widely expected to recur, and the one-time $75 mn in funds could help communities offset costs as they prepare for future disruptions. | |
| “PG&E failed to maintain its infrastructure and Californians are facing hardship as a result. For decades, they have placed greed before public safety,” Newsom said in a statement. “We must do everything we can to support Californians, especially those most vulnerable to these events. These funds will help local governments address these events and assist their most vulnerable residents.” | |
| In a tweet, Newsom was a bit more pointed in his critique of PG&E. | |
| “Decades of greed and mismanagement by PG&E have led us to this moment. Californians are infuriated -- I am too. | |
| We just a launched $75 million fund to help communities across our state dealing with these power shutoffs,” he wrote on Twitter. | |
| Decades of greed and mismanagement by PG&E have led us to this moment. Californians are infuriated -- I am too.We just a launched $75 million fund to help communities across our state dealing with these power shutoffs.https://t.co/LZ8NNB5T7D | |
| California isn’t suffering alone. Parts of Baja Calfornia, just across the border from San Diego, are ablaze, fanned by the same wind event fueling fires in southern California. | California isn’t suffering alone. Parts of Baja Calfornia, just across the border from San Diego, are ablaze, fanned by the same wind event fueling fires in southern California. |
| Mexico Daily News reported that in the last 48 hours, firefighters have responded to more than 100 fires in Tijuana alone, 19 of them forest fires, and three of them categorized as major. | Mexico Daily News reported that in the last 48 hours, firefighters have responded to more than 100 fires in Tijuana alone, 19 of them forest fires, and three of them categorized as major. |
| Officials have closed schools in the municipalities of Tijuana, Playas de Rosarito and Tecate as a precautionary measure. | Officials have closed schools in the municipalities of Tijuana, Playas de Rosarito and Tecate as a precautionary measure. |
| In a piece just published, my reporting colleagues Vivian Ho, Susie Cagle, Sam Levin and Joanna Walters team up to take a statewide look at the damage and fear caused by wildfires, including one that has forced the evacuation of about 50,000 residents in suburbs north of Los Angeles. | In a piece just published, my reporting colleagues Vivian Ho, Susie Cagle, Sam Levin and Joanna Walters team up to take a statewide look at the damage and fear caused by wildfires, including one that has forced the evacuation of about 50,000 residents in suburbs north of Los Angeles. |
| The Tick Fire, one of 3 major fires burning across California, has grown to 4,300 acres and is only 5% contained. Approx 50,000 people are evacuating as the fire races towards homes in Santa Clarita, CA. Scientists say the climate crisis is fueling wildfires nationwide pic.twitter.com/xpWvjJLXUp | The Tick Fire, one of 3 major fires burning across California, has grown to 4,300 acres and is only 5% contained. Approx 50,000 people are evacuating as the fire races towards homes in Santa Clarita, CA. Scientists say the climate crisis is fueling wildfires nationwide pic.twitter.com/xpWvjJLXUp |
| Among the highlights my colleagues’ story: | Among the highlights my colleagues’ story: |
| Kathryn Barger, a Los Angeles county supervisor, said on Friday that LA suburb Santa Clarita has undergone its largest evacuation ever. There, crews worked overnight to contain the Tick fire, which started on Thursday and has already charred 4,300 acres and threatens 15,000 homes and businesses. Images and videos posted on social media show flames shooting up residential hillsides, fanned by winds of up to 50mph. | Kathryn Barger, a Los Angeles county supervisor, said on Friday that LA suburb Santa Clarita has undergone its largest evacuation ever. There, crews worked overnight to contain the Tick fire, which started on Thursday and has already charred 4,300 acres and threatens 15,000 homes and businesses. Images and videos posted on social media show flames shooting up residential hillsides, fanned by winds of up to 50mph. |
| Pacific Gas & Electric has announced it plans to shut off power across northern California over the weekend, when gusts of wind are expected to reach up to 75mph. More than 2 million people are expected to be affected by the blackouts. | Pacific Gas & Electric has announced it plans to shut off power across northern California over the weekend, when gusts of wind are expected to reach up to 75mph. More than 2 million people are expected to be affected by the blackouts. |
| California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, declared a local emergency to assist with battling the blazes. | California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, declared a local emergency to assist with battling the blazes. |
| Firefighters still face weather conditions that makes battling the blazes extremely challenging. Strong winds, low humidity and high temperatures of up to 90F have come together to create a weather event one meteorologist described as an “atmospheric hairdryer”. | Firefighters still face weather conditions that makes battling the blazes extremely challenging. Strong winds, low humidity and high temperatures of up to 90F have come together to create a weather event one meteorologist described as an “atmospheric hairdryer”. |
| For some residents, fleeing wildfires has become both gut-wrenching and routine. Sam Levin spoke with Brenda Taylor, a Santa Clarita resident who 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. | For some residents, fleeing wildfires has become both gut-wrenching and routine. Sam Levin spoke with Brenda Taylor, a Santa Clarita resident who 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. |
| California fires: firefighters struggle to control flames as thousands flee | California fires: firefighters struggle to control flames as thousands flee |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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.” |