Three wildfires in California – the Camp Fire in the northern part of the state, and the Woolsey and Hill Fires in the southern part of the state – have wreaked havoc, wiping one town nearly off the map and forcing a quarter of a million people to flee their homes, reports Reuters.
Firefighters are trying desperately to contain the uncontrolled infernos while forecasters say intense winds and low humidity could fuel the blazes and make them spread even farther.
Mandatory evacuation from our home. Perused for valuables, assuming our home will be gone. Bright side – I have nothing of value! #surreal #wildfire #familyiseverything pic.twitter.com/30YFIDphgY
— Craig Shoemaker (@thelovemaster) November 9, 2018
Nine people have died in the infernos, some found still near their cars and others near or in their homes in what remains of Paradise, a northern California community of 27,000 people. They have not been identified. About 35 people have been reported missing, authorities said.
By late Friday night, the Camp Fire was the largest, swelling to 90,000 acres. The Woolsey Fire has torched about 35,000 acres, while the Hill Fire was at 4,531 acres. The only fire with some degree of control is the Hill Fire, which is 15 percent contained. The Camp Fire is 5.0 percent contained and the Woolsey Fire is still out of control.
The howling Santa Ana winds fueled the Woolsey Fire. These are strong, dry winds that high-pressure systems push from east to west, from the mountains and desert areas down into the Los Angeles area. Another round of the winds is forecast to hit the area over the weekend.
The fires are California’s fault
President Trump, in France, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I, continuing his hateful and anger-fueled Twitter tirade this morning – tweeting: “There is no reason for these massive, deadly and costly forest fires in California except that forest management is so poor. Billions of dollars are given each year, with so many lives lost, all because of gross mismanagement of the forests. Remedy now, or no more Fed payments!”
There is no reason for these massive, deadly and costly forest fires in California except that forest management is so poor. Billions of dollars are given each year, with so many lives lost, all because of gross mismanagement of the forests. Remedy now, or no more Fed payments!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 10, 2018
Trump offered no condolences to the families of those who died in the wildfires nor did he explain how he believed the forests were being mismanaged by state authorities. Perhaps he could also explain how the state is responsible for the Santa Ana winds and the continued dry conditions fueling the fires?
The biggest question Trump needs to answer concerns the federal payments he threatens to stop. Frankly, Californians don’t need to be hearing this kind of bluster from someone who is supposed to be the leader of this nation, but Trump is staying in character, being the proverbial bad guy.
The fires are being “fueled by dry conditions and extreme winds,” The Los Angeles Times reported. California Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom (D) requested federal assistance for tackling the fires on Friday, which Trump later approved.
