California faces hellish conditions. Firefighters were fighting hundreds of fires on Wednesday across a Golden state in the grip of a historic heat wave, where thousands of people were forced to flee their homes. Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in order to release funds for the fire soldiers.
Charred vegetation, cars and homes ravaged by flames: the fires have devoured more than 20,000 hectares in the region in recent days according to the authorities. “We are currently fighting 367 fires,” Newsom tweeted. "Lightning has struck 10,849 times in California in the past 72 hours and (the state has had) WORLD RECORDS of heat," he added.
CA has experienced 10,849 lightning strikes in the last 72 hours and WORLD RECORD heat temperatures.
We're currently battling 367 known fires.
Grateful for our firefighters, first responders, and everyone on the frontlines protecting Californians during this time.
Surrounded San Francisco area
Thousands of people had to be evacuated a few kilometers north and south of San Francisco, where two of the largest blazes listed by firefighters are rife: the “SCU Lightning Complex” and the “LNU Lighning Complex” which includes several fires. 'being declared since Monday.
Flames spreading on the roads and the explosion of gas pipes in several homes forced residents of the municipality of Vacaville to flee in haste, some in their pajamas. Several people suffered burns when leaving.
"If you are asked to evacuate, please do so safely," urged police in the city of 100,000, near Sacramento, on Twitter. “Almost all of our response units are mobilized to evacuate, protect residents and fight fires. "
54.4 ° C in Death Valley
Governor Gavin Newsom announced a state of emergency on Tuesday to "ensure the availability of vital resources to fight" these fires, "exacerbated by the effects of the historic heatwave on the west coast and sustained winds." Newsom said the states of Nevada, Arizona and Texas would send back-up firefighters to help California.
The state has been experiencing an unprecedented heat wave for a week, with Death Valley recording a record temperature of 54.4 ° C on Sunday, which could become, if approved, the third hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth.
Nearly 30,000 Californian homes are also deprived of power, according to the Poweroutage.us site, many electrical installations suffering from overheating. Several fires were also recorded in Colorado, where hot, dry weather fueled the flames.
- World