City
Epaper

Massive wildfire in California prompts evacuation

By IANS | Updated: October 25, 2019 10:55 IST

About 2,000 people living in Northern California have been ordered to evacuate after a massive wildfire dubbed the 'Kincade Fire' exploded in size overnight.

Open in App

According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), the blaze ignited on Wednesday night exploded very fast, scorching over 40.5 sq.km by Thursday noon with zero containment, reports Xinhua news agency.

More than 500 firefighters were battling the blaze in Sonoma County, but their overnight efforts could only focus on evacuations and the high winds made the fire difficult to contain.

"Our aircraft can't drop in those conditions. When you have that kind of wind speed, the resistance to control is beyond our capabilities. Because of the terrain and fuel conditions and the heat and humidity, the containment is still very challenging." Mark Parks with Cal Fire told local KCRA news channel.

There were reports that dozens of buildings were burned down but so far there is no report of casualties.

The fire was reported to have started near the Geysers Geothermal Plant, the world's largest geothermal field, but there officials were yet to ascertain it.

Meanwhile, another wildfire dubbed the 'Tick Fire' was reported on Thursday in the Southern California city of Santa Clarita, 60 km northwest of downtown Los Angeles, which moved quickly downhill toward Canyon Country, a residential community nearby.

The flames had spread to 0.8 sq.km within 20 minutes and scorched over 3.4 sq.km by Thursday evening.

Aerial video showed that some outdoor structures were damaged and the flames were dangerously close to homes in some areas. At least one home appeared to be on fire.

Hundreds of firefighter from Los Angeles County and Orange County were battling the blaze with four airtankers.

The fire came amid red flag warnings issued for some areas in Southern California due to extreme wildfire risk.

( With inputs from IANS )

Open in App

Related Stories

EntertainmentKesari 2 Box Office collection day 9: Progress report of Akshay Kumar's film

BusinessPolicy continuity-stability, thrust on infra, demographic dividend among factors that will further India's growth story: RBI Governor

Other SportsSarah, Joshua emerge victorious at the TCS World 10K Bengaluru

EntertainmentMilind Soman and Ankita Konwar push their limits with 3.5k swim and 70k cycle ride in Dubai

NationalApple farming in K'taka, saffron in Kerala: PM Modi showcases India's green success stories

International Realted Stories

International'We are still paying price', Rashid Alvi backs Mani Shankar Aiyar’s partition remarks

InternationalFor 36th birthday of 11th Panchen Lama, Tibetan govt-in-exile launches awareness campaign on his "enforced disappearance" by China

InternationalChinese authorities force Weibo account to change name, spark outrage over LGBTQ censorship

InternationalTaiwan: KMT Chair says legislature to push for Lai recall after May 20

InternationalSeveral killed, multiple injured as vehicle plows into Vancouver street festival crowd