California fires: thousands evacuated, one killed, state resources at the limit
The onslaught of wildfires raging across California was fatal as thousands of firefighters fought to contain 23 major complex fires across the state. NPR.
A helicopter pilot who fought one of the state's small fires in central California was killed in the crash, according to the Department of Forestry and Fire (Cal Fire).
«Этим утром вертолет Call When Needed потерпел крушение во время борьбы с лесным пожаром в округе Западный Фресно», — сообщило агентство.
A Bell UH-IH helicopter was on a mission to drop water on the Hills Fire during an accident.
«Пилот был единственным человеком на борту вертолета и не выжил в инциденте», — заявили в агентстве.
The helicopter was one of six firefighters in Fresno County, which was difficult to reach due to steep slopes and limited access, according to Cal Fire officials.
The tragedy came after a series of lightning strikes against the backdrop of intense heat, which simultaneously caused hundreds of fires throughout California, exhausting the state's resources to the limit.
According to Cal Fire, as of Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 19, about 6900 firefighters from federal, state and local agencies have been called in to fight the flames that have engulfed both agricultural and residential areas.
On the subject: Fires, fire tornadoes, evacuations: state of emergency declared in California due to large-scale natural disaster
The lightning and thunderstorms that began on Sunday 16 August, combined with extremely high temperatures and dangerous air quality, exacerbated the fires' ferocity and speed. This prompted the evacuation of thousands of people as rescue teams tried to prevent fires from devastating entire neighborhoods.
«За последние 72 часа штат подвергся исторической осаде молний, в результате которой по всему штату произошло примерно 10 849 ударов молний, вызвавших более 367 новых пожаров», — заявил Джереми Ран, сотрудник службы общественной информации Cal Fire для Lightning Complex LNU.
There are currently 367 #CaliforniaFires — this one in Napa County pic.twitter.com/RNGxZpbN9x
— Akif Malik ? (@akifmalik) August 19
«Ресурсы для пожаротушения истощены, — констатировал Ран. — Размер и сложность этих инцидентов бросают вызов всем аспектам аварийного реагирования».
«На данный момент Калифорния запросила 375 пожарных машин из соседних штатов и наняла почти все доступные частные самолеты для пожаротушения в западной части США», — уточнил он.
В целом, сотрудники пожарной службы выявили 23 крупных комплексных пожара — это отдельные, разрозненные очаги, которые горят в определенной географической зоне в непосредственной близости друг от друга.
LIVE: Salinas, California! Literally creeping up to my grandfather-in-law's home #CaliforniaFires #Calfire pic.twitter.com/jzMSdrtKfk
- Isabella Lawrence (@bellablawrence) August 19
During his briefing, Gov. Gavin Newsom noted the uniqueness of the crisis the state is facing in the current extreme weather conditions.
«Мы имеем дело с пожарами, подобных которым не видели уже много лет», — сказал Ньюсом.
On Tuesday, August 18, the governor declared a state of emergency, clearing the way for easier federal grants and out-of-state aid to put out the elements of fire.
Several wildfires have been raging in Southern California for over a week now, but Northern California has been hit particularly hard in recent days.
On the subject: California's New Law Protects Millions of People in Fire Affected Areas
The LNU Lightning Complex fire consists of multiple outbreaks in Napa and Sonoma counties. The rapidly spreading flames burned over 46 acres (000 ha) and destroyed or damaged about 18 buildings, according to Cal Fire. Fires are localized by 615%.
«Стена пламени пронеслась по Спаниш-Флэт-Мобайл-Вилле, превращая дома в пепел, автомобили — в груды расплавленного металла», — сообщает филиал CBS в районе Bay Area.
Near the wine-growing region, fires destroyed more than 85 acres (000 hectares) of land in five counties. The ignition, which is believed to have originated from dry lightning, began on Tuesday morning, August 34, and has now spread to Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Joaquin and Stanislav counties. The fire is localized only 398%.
In California, fires are raging and a heat wave is causing shortages to the grid. 367 new fires last night. Over 300,000 acres burned.
We're in a #climatecrisis... Let's do something about it. #ActOnClimate #climate #energy #renewables #GreenNewDeal #JustRecovery pic.twitter.com/w7krCrdRjL
- Mike Hudema (@MikeHudema) August 19
The CZU August Lightning fire blazes along the coastline in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties.
«Высокие ночные температуры и ограниченные ресурсы увеличили масштабы возгорания, которое теперь достигло 10 000 акров (4046 га)», — сказали в Cal Fire.
Meanwhile, Southern California is battling three large fires that have burned out about 73 acres (200 ha) and threaten hundreds of residential areas.
The Lake Fire spread over 26 acres (000 ha), Dome Fir charred over 10 acres (521 ha) in the Mojave National Wildlife Refuge, and the Ranch 20 fire consumed 000 acres (8093 ha). None of the sources of the disaster is localized by more than 2%.
1:13 am 98 degrees #DomeFire #MNP pic.twitter.com/eROFgxSEUP
- Daniel Magallanes (@ DanielM00508429) August 17
While Newsom admitted that firefighters are "involved in a way we haven't seen in years," he dismissed criticism that the state is not prepared for the onslaught of wildfires.
The Governor noted the extensive collaboration with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as well as other states, including Arizona and Texas, that has been established over the years to combat such disasters.
«Мы готовились к этому», — сказал Ньюсом.
По его словам, в начале этого года законодательный орган штата одобрил дополнительное увеличение бюджета Cal Fire на 85,6 миллиона долларов, «чтобы привлечь постоянные силы пожаротушения», несмотря на затягивание экономических «поясов», вызванное пандемией коронавируса.
The governor said that an additional 830 firefighters have been hired to fight active wildfires in the past few weeks. Help is expected to arrive from Texas.
Fires also cover vast areas of the state with harmful smoke and ash, forcing many people to stay indoors. The disaster also puts stress on the state's energy infrastructure, which is already overloaded as the heatwave triggered rolling blackouts.
You can't see it but it's raining ashes…. #californiafires pic.twitter.com/mJWVI3lF01
- Lovelyset (@ lovelyset7) August 19
According to the National Meteorological Service, high temperatures are expected to persist until the end of the week (22-23 Aug).
Еще одно неожиданное осложнение, возникшее в результате пандемии коронавируса, — необходимость принимать решение о том, куда отправлять людей, которые были эвакуированы из своих домов. Правила охраны труда и техники безопасности штата требуют, чтобы эвакуированных не теснили в закрытых помещениях, как это обычно бывает, когда люди переживают чрезвычайную ситуацию.
Read also on ForumDaily:
Electricity cut off in California in record heat: the governor demands an investigation
Fires, evacuations, power outages: California was hit by a thunderstorm with hundreds of lightning
The highest temperature on Earth: a new record was recorded in Death Valley
Subscribe to ForumDaily on Google NewsDo you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.
-
Actions in a terrorist attack: how to survive yourself and help others6333
-
Life after death: what happens to places of mass executions in the USA3883
-
How to start a profitable business in the USA, if you have only $ 203281
-
4 US Social Security Traps and How to Avoid Them1493
-
Dying is not scary: scientists for the first time saw what the brain experiences during death838
-
Special language, UFO surveillance, and curse prohibition: 13 air traffic controllers secrets249
-
Freelancers and robots: 101 interesting facts about how the work will be in the future175
-
Actions in a terrorist attack: how to survive yourself and help others6333
-
Life after death: what happens to places of mass executions in the USA3883
-
How to start a profitable business in the USA, if you have only $ 203281
-
4 US Social Security Traps and How to Avoid Them1493
-
Dying is not scary: scientists for the first time saw what the brain experiences during death838
-
Special language, UFO surveillance, and curse prohibition: 13 air traffic controllers secrets249
-
Freelancers and robots: 101 interesting facts about how the work will be in the future175