On Saturday evening, residents of several districts of Northern California quietly went to sleep, confident in the future. But soon they were overtaken by a real disaster – one of the most devastating fires in state history. Many had to flee, to leave all his possessions and as quickly as possible to evacuate to a safer place.
«These people lost everything. When you see the destruction, this picture reminds of the consequences of the explosion», – said the press-Secretary of Cal Fire Ken of Pimlott. He added: «Some of these people literally slept at home in bed and nothing not even suspected». Officials emphasize that many people will have nowhere to return after the devastating effects of fire.
California is on fire, among other problems, but the president needed to remind us that Jemele Hill is the problem. «Deadly California» pic.twitter.com/0inzYxQmAU
— Matt K (@dcdaddysWT) October 10, 2017
The latest data that you need to know:
- As of Tuesday evening the fire service reported 17 deaths from fire. Eleven died in the County of SONOMA, three in the County of Mendocino, two in the County of NAPA, and one in the County of Yuba. Local hospitals see hundreds of people with injuries.
- Police reported 155 residents who have gone missing.
- At least 1,500 structures were destroyed vposledsvii 20 fires, the total area is over 115,000 acres.
- Governor Jerry brown declared a state of emergency in NAPA, SONOMA, Yuba and 4 districts.
- The fire in Anaheim Hills burned 7,500 acres and destroyed 24 buildings and wounded one person.
The authorities are expecting the death toll to rise, and strong winds in coming days could complicate the containment of the fires which had virtually emptied the wine County of Northern California.
CalFire update: Tubbs Fire in Santa Rosa burned 20,000 acres, in Napa Atlas Fire has burned 5,000 acres https://t.co/6mriVMIDVw pic.twitter.com/QEWn4QJv5h
— KTVU (@KTVU) October 9, 2017
The effects of weather on fires
Weather at the time was favorable to the residents of Northern California. But after a short break, meteorologists predict a resumption of fire conditions this weekend.
«In Northern California winds will move Northwest, but can still be locally gusty,» said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Ken Clark.
The area of high pressure (aka anticyclone) will move East of the Rocky mountains to the end of this week. The stronger the high pressure system, the stronger the wind.
#BREAKING: Fast-spreading fire in hills above Napa prompts evacuations, Cal Fire says. https://t.co/AkIibKNzTY pic.twitter.com/zhJyBij39S
— NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) October 9, 2017
«This weekend will increase the risk of new forest fires and their rapid spread,» said AccuWeather meteorologist Evan Duffy. – North and North easterly winds begin to rise and will become gusty. Humidity levels will fall and heat will return to the coastal areas of California.»
People need to exercise extra caution with outdoor power equipment and open flames such as campfires and grills. Firefighters warn not to leave the cars near the large shrubs, as the intense heat of the exhaust system can cause fire.
Typically, the fire season in Santa Ana begins in October and ends in early spring. «Heavy rains this year have led to a large amount of vegetation,» says AccuWeather meteorologist Brett Rossio. According to him, she had much to dry, easy to break during the formation of the anticyclone.
This weekend rain is not expected. Forecasters suggest that next week in parts of Northern California can expect rain.
Josh Williamson carries Nerf guns he found in the rubble of his destroyed home @ocregister #CanyonFire2 #CaliforniaWildfires pic.twitter.com/wwUgsX6ejb
— Jeff Gritchen (@jeffgritchen) October 10, 2017
