California Wildfires: State of
emergency declared
California wildfire (2019 Getty Images) |
Around 180,000 people have been ordered to leave their homes
as the Kincade fire in Northern California threatens areas as far south as
Santa Rosa.
By Lydia O'Kane
TV images show firefighters battling against time to bring
wind-driven wildfires under control.
Northern California has been worst hit by the massive fires
prompting the state’s Governor Gavin Newsom to declare a statewide emergency.
About 180,000 people were ordered to leave their homes which
included towns north of Santa Rosa. Residents were seen packing up their
belongings and setting off in their cars against a backdrop of smoke and
flames. In addition, more than 2.4 million people lost electricity over the
weekend.
Speaking to reporters, Governor Newsom gave details of the
challenges they were facing. “The Kincade fire remains the most stubborn
challenge that we face.”
Hundreds of people arrived at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds
in Santa Rosa on Sunday where more than 300 slept in cots and beds provided.
This evacuee and volunteer described the situation. “There’s
a little bit of panic, there’s a little bit of franticness. “We really urge
people to evacuate. Bring your animals with you and we’ll take care of all of
you.”
All hands are on deck to make sure that people are safe and
the fires are brought under control, however, the California Department of
Forestry and Fire Protection said the current conditions statewide made
California "a tinderbox".
Of the state’s 58 counties, 43 were under red flag warnings
for high fire danger.
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