California wildfires: Trump declares major disaster as state braces for worsening conditions

California is battling some of the largest wildfires in its history which have displaced more than 100,000 people, prompting the state to request help from Australia and Canada to tackle the flames. The fires were sparked by an unusual barrage of lightning and stoked by a searing, persistent heatwave. Although cooler, more humid weather overnight helped firefighters make ground, forecasters have warned that thunderstorms could bring on more lightning, feeding the blazes that have already killed six people and incinerated hundreds of homes.“We are making progress but we are not out of the woods,” said Cal Fire Unit chief Shana Jones on Saturday. “Upcoming predicted weather is not in our favor.”The state’s governor, Gavin Newsom, said the fires,which have chewed through more than 991,000 acres over seven days, “are stretching our resources, our personnel”, requiring help from other states and countries. Two fires, the LNU Lightning Complex and the SCU Lightning Complex, now rank as the second and third-largest on record.“We simply haven’t seen anything like this in many, many years,” said Newsom, who has requested assistance from what he called “the world’s best wildfire-fighters” in Australia, a country that itself experienced enormous wildfires earlier this year. Help from Canada and 10 other US states is also heading to California.

All data is taken from the source: https://www.theguardian.com/
Article Link: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/22/california-wildfires-10-states-help-wine-country-bay-area


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