The worst in state history: California wildfires continue to rage

Huge bushfires, ignited by lightning, continue to rage on Monday, August 24, from all sides of the San Francisco Bay Area, and much of Northern California is on alert as strong lightning winds threaten to trigger more fires. Writes about it USA Today.

Photo: Shutterstock

Three huge wildfires have engulfed Northern California, and more than 650 wildfires have flared up across the state in the past week, mostly due to lightning.

Around a quarter of a million people have been targeted by evacuation orders as weather forecasts signal an impending threat of severe thunderstorms with high temperatures and unpredictable winds.

Latest update for Monday 24 August

From all sides of the San Francisco Bay Area, there are three of California's largest fires: LNU Lightning Complex, SCU Lightning Complex, CZU Lightning Complex (also known as Santa Cruz Fire).

LNU Lightning Complex in the north of the state burned 350 acres (030 ha) and was localized by 141%; SCU Lightning Complex in the southeast burned 652 acres (22 ha) and was localized 343%; The CZU Lightning Complex in the south burned 965 acres (139 ha) and was contained at 197%.

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A Lightning Complex is a group of fires started by lightning.

The LNU Lightning Complex is expected to grow, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).

Hell on earth??? prayers for California, hope the state of California can get its plan together. We need unorthodox approach to save this state@elonmuskGo #CaliforniaFire #SantaCruzFire #PrayforCalifornia pic.twitter.com/5vmbMf7b2I

- SpeedyMojo (@speedymojo) August 23

“The fires continue to spread in multiple directions, affecting multiple communities,” Cal Fire said. More than 1000 structures have been destroyed or damaged and at least four people have been confirmed dead since the fire started last Monday, August 17.

The SCU Lightning Complex in the Santa Clara area "merged with two main fires and split into three zones," Cal Fire said.

Since the LNU and SCU burned over 500 square miles (1 square kilometers), these fires became two of the three largest fires in state history.

In the area of ​​the CZU Lightning Complex fire on Sunday, August 23, the body of a 70-year-old man was found. According to Cal Fire, about 77 people were evacuated from the CZU fire area.

“This is one of the darkest times,” said Santa Cruz Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Chris Clark.

Indeed 2020 is not our year. This is Wildfires in #California #CaliforniaFire pic.twitter.com/PROlp2s8xI

— Mohamed Ali ?? (@MoherAli) August 20

Across California, there have been more than 15 lightning strikes since August 12, resulting in hundreds of fires. More than 000 firefighters, 14 special vehicles and 000 aircraft are fighting fires.

Since July, wildfires have burned more than 1,2 million acres (485 ha) of land in California. For the entire 622, only 2019 acres (259000 ha) were burned.

Several wildfires are burning in Southern California around Los Angeles, including one of the first fires 11 days ago.

The weather forecast predicts many thunderstorms and dry weather, which could trigger more fires.

Much of Northern California remains on alert for "critical fire-related weather conditions" as the state faces further thunderstorms.

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Dry storms can cause more lightning, as well as gusty winds that can spread any fire.

Hazard alerts are in effect until Monday evening, August 24th.

Mark Brunton, chief of Cal Fire, said firefighters are ready for new fires, but he's not sure what to expect.

Cal Fire spokesman Bryce Bennett says officials studying fire maps are surprised at the sheer size of the fires. Market Watch.

“You could take half the area of ​​one of these fires and it would cover the entire city of San Francisco,” Bennett said.

At least 100,000 people across California have been ordered to evacuate their homes as a State of Emergency is declared, approx 370 wildfires are currently blazing, with more than 10,000 firefighters fighting the inferno. #CaliforniaFire
pic.twitter.com/AOdWjCYFFG

— Anonymous ?‍⬛ (@YourAnonCentral) August 21

In response to the emergency, US President Donald Trump issued a major disaster statement in California to provide federal assistance to the state. California Governor Gavin Newsom said the emergency declaration would also help people in the fire-affected counties.

Looting during fires

Local authorities warn that tens of thousands of people have been displaced from their homes, and looters have taken advantage of the situation.

Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart said the marauder had robbed the car of one of the California firefighters.

Brunton called the incident "disgusting" and said the firefighter's wallet had been stolen and his bank account "emptied" while he was in charge of the area's fire brigades.

Hart said his department has already made eight robbery-related arrests. Some of the robbers came from other areas, he said.

Tornado in #California .
A Large fire has broken out.Once again # 2020worstyear brought to us the destructions of nature? and living things?.#PrayforCalifornia #CaliforniaWildfires #CaliforniaFire . pic.twitter.com/Xndvbc6Qev

- Shah Khalid (@ wazir__786) August 20

“I have no sympathy, I have no patience for those who steal from people who have been evacuated,” Hart said.

Air quality is deteriorating

With so many fires burning throughout the state, unhealthy air full of smoke continues to cover the areas around the fires and southern Central California.

The National Weather Service has issued warnings of poor air quality throughout much of the Bay and central California "until the fires are put out."

The San Joaquin Valley Weather Service office in Hanford warned residents, "Stay home whenever possible and avoid prolonged outdoor activity." Smoke is predicted to move north on Monday 24 August.

California right now as wildfire rage.
— 350,000 acres burned.
— 48,000 evacuated.
— 175 structures destroyed.
— 50,000 more at risk.
— At least 6 people dead, more injured#CaliforniaFire
(?@MikeHudema) pic.twitter.com/cNFg0uNTko

— Anonymous ?‍⬛ (@YourAnonCentral) August 21

Air quality index maps show that levels of fine particulate matter, or PM 2,5, in air in parts of northern and central California are among the worst in the world.

“Exposure to particulate pollution can cause serious health problems, worsen lung disease, trigger asthma attacks and acute bronchitis, and increase the risk of respiratory infections,” the weather service said.

How to escape the smoke of forest fires

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bushfire smoke can irritate your eyes, nose, throat, and lungs, make breathing difficult, and cause coughing or wheezing.

The Hell sure is something like that ...
Inside #HennessyFire that threatening #California #CaliforniaFire 's wine country near St. Helena in #NapaCounty #napafire pic.twitter.com/A9xn6FImGn

- Tocamelaotravez (@tocamelaotravez) August 21

To reduce exposure to smoke, CDC recommends choosing a room that can be closed to outside air. Place a portable air purifier or filter in the room and put on a respirator to filter out the smoke, CDC officials said.

While most cloth or surgical masks will help prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, they do not protect people from harmful smoke particles. A mask designed to filter out fine particulate matter, such as N-95, works best.

Scary and terrifying fire in Napa County, California.
Praying for all my relatives and friends?#CaliforniaFire #NapaCountry #wildfires #fire #CaliforniaHeatWave #California #USA #CaliforniaFires pic.twitter.com/LX1ZXYVSCw

- Camil Tahan (@ Cam1lTahan) August 19

An air conditioning unit with high efficiency filters can trap fine smoke particles, and setting the system to recirculation mode can prevent outside air from entering the house.

"I want this nightmare to end"

Many families evacuated from the fire zone still do not know when they will be able to return home - or whether they will even have a home, writes Mercury News.

Rhonda Hall left her apartment in Guerneville with her teenage daughter, adult son and pets. They were joined by her 70-year-old mother from Rio Nido and have since moved from motel to motel.

Embers all around California driver
For more https://t.co/yXYhrjPfmy#CaliforniaFire #wildfire pic.twitter.com/e0vvikOWzs

- NTV Houston (@NTV_Houston) August 23

“I just want this nightmare to end,” Hall says.

The Hall tenement house is near downtown Guerneville and remains under mandatory evacuation, although no fire has penetrated the city. She has no idea how many more days her family will have to sit in a motel room, watch TV and try not to think about the fire.

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"All I can think about is, 'Is everything going to be okay?' When will the fire be put out? says Hall.

Hell on earth, hold on California ...#CaliforniaFire pic.twitter.com/CUNqEb7yhe

— Anastasia Shayk? (@shayk_1) August 21

For Johnston, Hall and the rest of the family, the nightmare began with a terrifying evacuation order. They headed to a motel in Vacaville, but by the time they arrived, ash was already falling. A few hours later they had to move again - without a refund for the room. Finding a new place to live was not easy.

“Everything was booked or on fire,” Hall said.

#CaliforniaFire #SanFrancisco #BayArea Pray for Cali pic.twitter.com/zSGeXd3MOA

- Zen (@shamvegas) August 22

“That kind of stress is enough to push anyone over the edge,” said Dr. Mark LaGrave, an emergency room physician at Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa who volunteered at the evacuation shelter where nearly 200 people took refuge from the fires.

For days, LaGrave said, the most common problems—from getting stuck in traffic to a dead cell phone battery—have caused people to lose their tempers.

“Everyone is very emotionally stressed right now,” he said.

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