CALIFORNIA — Wildfires have scorched tens of thousands of acres, displaced tens of thousands of people, caused planned power outages and prompted a statewide emergency, but conditions could worsen Tuesday through Thursday as powerful winds are expected to sweep across California.
Read the latest: CA Wildfires: Winds Fuel New Fires; Governor To Visit Evacuees
Millions of people in the state are under red flag warnings Tuesday as winds and humidity once again raise the threat of wildfires. Increasing wind speeds of up to 80 miles per hour caused the National Weather Service to issue a rare “extreme red flag warning” for Southern California through Thursday evening.
The worsening conditions come as firefighters battle at least 10 blazes across the state, according to Cal Fire. Some of the fires ignited late last week and new fires erupted over the weekend and Monday.
The Kincade Fire is still the largest fire burning in the state. The blaze sparked Wednesday northeast of Geyserville in Sonoma County and was only 15 percent contained by Tuesday morning.
The blaze has blackened 75,415 acres, destroyed 124 structures — including 57 homes — and damaged 23 others. Another 90,015 homes and other structures remain threatened by the massive fire, which forced roughly 185,000 people to evacuate their homes.
Also see: Uber Offering Fire Victims Free Rides To Evacuation Centers
There are 4,548 local, state and federal personnel assisting with the Kincade Fire alone.
Fueled by winds, the Getty Fire erupted before dawn Monday in Los Angeles County on the west side of Sepulveda Pass, where Interstate 405 passes through the Santa Monica Mountains. The fast-moving fire scorched 658 acres and shut down the 405 Freeway on- and off-ramps and Getty Center Drive.
Thousands of homes in the Brentwood area were evacuated and at least 18 schools were forced to close due to the blaze. At least eight homes have been destroyed.
The Tick Fire, also in Los Angeles County, broke out Thursday in the Santa Clarita area and was 86 percent contained by Tuesday morning. The fire has burned 4,615 acres, destroyed 29 structures and damaged 42 others. Evacuation orders for tens of thousands of residents were lifted over the weekend.
Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a statewide emergency over the weekend due to the effects of the unprecedented high winds that resulted in wildfires and evacuations across the state.
Also see: Couple Marrying Near Kincade Fire Shoots Smoky Wedding Photos
The extreme weather conditions that sparked and fueled the fires also prompted Pacific Gas and Electric, the state’s largest utility company, to cut power over the weekend to hundreds of thousands of customers in Northern and Central California.
Approximately 970,000 customers in 37 counties were impacted by the series of blackouts. By 10 p.m. Monday, power had been restored to about 556,400 customers, according to PG&E.
Click Here: liverpool mens jersey