Wildfire Flames and Smoke Engulf Northern California

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Sky-darkening wildfires that took at least six lives and forced tens of thousands of people from their homes blazed throughout California on Friday as firefighting resources strained under the vastness of the infernos authorities were trying to control.

Three major complexes encompassing dozens of fires chewed through a combined 780 square miles (2,020 square kilometers) of forests, canyons and rural areas flanking San Francisco on three sides.

Smoke and ash billowing from the fires also fouled the air throughout California's scenic central coast and in San Francisco. The fires have destroyed at least 175 buildings.

Statewide, nearly 12,000 firefighters are battling blazes that have scorched more than 1,200 square miles (3,120 square kilometers) in California, said Daniel Berlant, assistant deputy director for the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire.

Crews from Oregon, Idaho and Arizona have arrived to relieve local firefighters, he said, with engines on their way from as far away as Maryland and New Jersey.

Tens of thousands of homes were threatened by flames that drove through dense and bone-dry trees and brush. Many of the fires were sparked by lightning strikes from brief thunderstorms - nearly 12,000 since last weekend - as a high-pressure area over the West brought a dangerous mix of triple-digit weather and monsoonal moisture pulled from the south.

Some fires doubled in size within 24 hours, fire officials said.

And while some evacuations were lifted in the small city of Vacaville, between San Francisco and Sacramento, other areas expanded their evacuation areas. The University of California, Santa Cruz, was evacuated, and a new fire burning near Yosemite National Park also prompted evacuations.

Santa Cruz itself, a coastal city of 65,000, wasn't affected. But Mayor Justin Cummings urged residents Thursday evening to be prepared to evacuate by gassing up their vehicles and packing important documents, medicines and other belongings.

More than 64,000 people have been ordered to evacuate in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties, which make up part of Silicon Valley and hug the coast south of San Francisco.

The ferocity of the fires was astonishing so early in the fire season, which historically has seen the largest and deadliest blazes when gusty, dry winds blow in the fall.

But the death toll already had reached at least six since the majority of blazes started less than a week ago, with four deaths claimed by fires burning in wine country north of San Francisco.

The bodies of three people were found in a home that burned in Napa, Henry Wofford, spokesman for the Napa County Sheriff’s Office, told the San Francisco Chronicle. In Solano County Sheriff Thomas A. Ferrara reported the death of a male resident there.

Separately, a Pacific Gas & Electric utility worker was found dead Wednesday in a vehicle in the Vacaville area Wednesday. In central California, a pilot on a water-dropping mission in western Fresno County died Wednesday morning when his helicopter crashed.

At least two other people were missing and more than 30 civilians and firefighters have been injured, authorities said.

Although temperatures were predicted to ease slightly on Friday, they were also expected to be hot enough so that firefighters will not be able to count on cool evening weather aiding them. Erratic winds also could drive the fires unpredictably in multiple directions, state fire officials said.

Winds gusting to 20 mph (32 kph) over ridge tops could challenge overnight firefighting efforts in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties, said the incident commander, Cal Fire Assistant Chief Billy See. More firefighters were sent to battle the complex of fires, but “it’s still not enough,” See said.

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I like how the refer to everything past LA as northern california when it's 3/4 of the state.

davidnoble
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Hey people, this is not a normal fire incident. There was a freak lightning storm (no that doesn't happen on the west coast during summer), sparking over 300 storms surrounding a population of 7mn+ ppl (Bay Area) on three sides, and engulfing the region in smoke. Plus the state still hasn't recovered from the drought. This has also taken place during a record heatwave.

At first glance, yes fire exist in California, however, just like Australia, Siberia and the Amazon (which also see a lot of fires) have gone through unprecedented disasters in the last year.

Stay safe everyone, peace and love.

FirstLast-disr
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Does California go through this every year? Is the scope and severity exaggerated by media? I can never imagine feeling safe there. Mean no offense to Californians.

SunnyDayTeaFactory
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Maybe we should bring back logging in our state to clean the over 1 billion dead trees.
Just a thought.

Wesley
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Having a son who is a firefighter in CA is a parents worst nightmare, but he loves his career & we are so grateful to ALL the FIREFIGHTERS & PARAMEDICS that risk their lives in order to save ours.GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU.KNOW THAT WE APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU DO👩🏼‍🚒🙏🇺🇸❤️🙏🙏👩🏼‍🚒😍

slohmann
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This happens nearly every year here in California, yet we never learn. There’s just never enough resources that get pumped into fire departments and fire prevention when the fire season begins. This is where more of our tax money should be going!

WSB
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The govt. Of California are ruining this beautiful state!

caburris
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I live in the Central Valley. Can’t stand outside without breathing in ash. Can’t even see the sun anymore.

eddycharles
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Praying for us all and everyone in California...

snkaron
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Prayers to people in California - live From Connecticut

justvideos
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I live in California (Central Valley) and haven't seen the normal sky or sun for over a week now. Ash all over my car. It's grey everywhere. Looks like I'm in Silent Hill. It's been bad here but never this bad. I will never know what compels people to move here. I'll switch with someone from Texas 😂

vincem
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Are there even any trees left to burn I mean goddamn I hear about a wildfire here everyday

jacobolson
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Good thing they arent allowed to brush burn to prevent this. I like when people learn a lesson.

cameronmcpherson
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Yes, this is happening every year...but don't forget, this year (and last) we have a utility company that will turn off your electricity if it gets too hot. This state is a joke

pjdiver
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This is the exact reason why my wife and I left Northern California and moved to South Carolina 2 months ago. Looks like we made the right decision at the right time

hellothere
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dude I live in Cali its fine here

MY BRAIN: (WE ARE ALL GONNA DIE)

damagedhurdle
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I'm in the central valley and the air quality has been bad for 3 days now. Sky's are filled with ash and smoke.

Joelinator
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you couldn't find 20 more seconds of smoke footage?

jbjb
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I would get a petition and blame your governor , he needs to be removed. All he had to do was put a 6ft rule on fire, or shut it down.. Why doesent he just shut it down or fine it? He also thinks that if you are on lock down for quartine you should stay in your house as it burns.. You know he's thinking it

hairon
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One day, I swear, most of this state would be reduced to ashes if these summer fires continue. OMG, I'm so tired of hearing about these disasters. Hope there would not be a repeat of Paradise. Years ago I almost relocated there. With my asthmatic condition and fear of earthquakes, I'm blessed!

karenfridie