California is raging 370 fires: more casualties, mass evacuations, worst air quality in the world

Forest fires raging in Northern California have killed at least 5 people. Tens of thousands of residents have been evacuated, and as of Thursday, August 20, at least two people are missing, writes Fox News.

Photo: Shutterstock

Dozens of wildfires raging across Northern and Central California have reportedly killed at least five people this week, including a Pacific Gas & Electric worker who was helping first responders and a pilot on a water-dumping mission. - He lost his life due to a helicopter crash.

Three local residents died in Napa Valley and one in Solano County, the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said. It is unclear whether the utility worker is included in the tally of resident deaths.

At least 33 residents and firefighters were injured. As of Thursday, August 20, thousands of residents have been evacuated, with two missing.

“If you're a climate change denier, come to California,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said during a speech at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday, August 20. Newsom added that more than 370 wildfires are raging across the state, he writes. USA Today.

On the subject: California fires: thousands evacuated, one killed, state resources at the limit

There have been at least 10,800 lightning strikes across California in the past 72 hours, sparking at least 367 fires. Officials are calling it "a historic lightning siege."

This is what a #climatecrisis looks like. But planet B. #ActOnClimate#CaliforniaFires #ClimateEmergency pic.twitter.com/Jhz4oj2Ila

- Mike Hudema (@MikeHudema) August 21

Multiple fires burning in Napa, Sonoma, Solano, Lake and Yolo counties, collectively known as the LNU Fire Complex, were sparked by multiple lightning strikes on Monday, Aug. 17, and had grown 60% in size by Thursday, Aug. 20.

The largest fire, the Hennessey Fire, has grown to 192 acres (000 hectares) and is 77% localized, according to Cal Fire officials.

However, UC fire chief Charlie Blankenheim said the firefighters are steadily moving forward.

“We are quite confident that we have stopped the spread, so we hope to contain the fire and prevent the loss of any buildings,” he told reporters on Thursday, August 20.

I just can't imagine this ??. #CaliforniaFires pic.twitter.com/tfAMP4wgaq

- Licypriya Kangujam (@LicypriyaK) August 19

Most of the activity is in northern California, where the fires have engulfed about 500 square miles (1300 square kilometers) of scrubland, rural areas, canyons, and dense forests surrounding San Francisco.

Overall, according to Cal Fire, the fires cover more than 780 square miles (2020 square kilometers) across the state. This area is roughly equal to half of Rhode Island.

More than 10 firefighters are on the front lines, but rescuers in charge of each of the major complex fires say they lack resources. Some firefighters worked 000 hours instead of the usual 72 hours. California has requested 24 out-of-state fire trucks and crews.

This was my home.#CaliforniaFires #LNULightningComplex pic.twitter.com/19GVuvvx55

- J. (@chrongus) August 19

Tens of thousands have been evacuated, 50 buildings are under threat

Tens of thousands of people were evacuated to save them from the fire. The fires have destroyed 175 structures, including residential buildings, and threaten 50 more, said Daniel Berlant, deputy director of the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

In Solano County, thousands of residents were ordered to evacuate - some of them had never done so before.

“I've lived here 30 years and I've never had to evacuate before,” said one, Tim Lukehart. “Of course, there have been fires, but not like this.”

While some evacuations have been canceled in the city of Vacaville, between San Francisco and Sacramento, other areas have increased the scale of evacuations. The University of California, Santa Cruz, was evacuated, and a new fire near Yosemite prompted residents to leave the area.

Over 10,000 lightning strikes in California in the last 72 hours and 367 fires currently burning.
Prayers for safety go out to all residents. ??#CaliforniaFires pic.twitter.com/sQtfRDXqWq

- JesusIsComingBack (@ GoodShepherd316) August 20

As of Thursday, August 20, in the coastal highlands south of San Francisco, 48 people have been ordered to evacuate. Orders were also issued for 000 people in Monterey County and 9000 people in Sonoma County.

In addition, nearly 50 residents have been ordered to evacuate in the counties of Santa Cruz and San Mateo, as strong gusts of wind make it difficult to fight fires at night.

Santa Cruz, a city on the central coast with a population of 65, was unharmed, but its mayor, Justin Cummings, called on residents on the evening of August 000 to get together and be ready to evacuate if necessary.

How many fires are raging in California

Of the 370 wildfires that have erupted across the state, Newsom said, dozens have evolved into three major fire elements, making their way through forests, canyons and rural villages in the San Francisco Bay Area and central California.

Many of them were triggered by an unprecedented series of nearly 11 lightning strikes over several days as the high pressure area in the west brought a dangerous combination of hot weather and monsoon moisture from the south.

The largest fire listed on the Cal Fire website on the evening of August 20 was the LNU Lightning fire, which burned a total of 336 square miles (870 square kilometers) and was 0% contained.

On the subject: Fires, fire tornadoes, evacuations: state of emergency declared in California due to large-scale natural disaster

Another major fire, originating from 20 separate outbreaks near San Jose, is called the SCU Lightning Complex Fire. According to Cal Fire, the disaster covered over 245 square miles (634 square kilometers). Although it is held back by 5%, it still threatens over 6200 buildings.

In Southern California, an 8-day fire near Lake Hughes in the northern mountains of Los Angeles County burned 43,5 square miles (113 square kilometers). As of Thursday, August 20, it has been localized 52%.

Alba Road in Ben Lomond in Santa Cruz County, where residents were evacuated overnight Wednesday and early Thursday#CaliforniaFires #CZULightningComplex #CZUAugustLightning pic.twitter.com/AKV7Ewv8Vi

- Dylan Bouscher (@DylanBouscher) August 20

How dirty the air is and why cloth masks don't help

Air quality in parts of the Bay Area was the worst in the world on Wednesday 19 August. Therefore, while cloth and blue disposable medical masks are effective in containing the spread of the coronavirus, an N95 mask is essential to filter out harmful particles from smoke.

So demand for face coverings may increase, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's air quality forecasts for Friday, Aug. 21, predicting unhealthy levels across the state, from Yuba City/Marysville in the north to Lake Elsinore in the south.

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