California wildfires

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2 Kids, Great-Grandma Die in 'War Zone' of Calif. Wildfire

Flames raced through property while great-grandfather had gone to get supplies

(Newser) - The death count from a Northern California wildfire rose to five Saturday after two young children and their great-grandmother who had been unaccounted for were confirmed dead. "My babies are dead," Sherry Bledsoe said through tears, per the AP . Bledsoe's two children, James Roberts, 5, and Emily...

California's Growing Wildfire Started in a Humdrum Way

It began with a vehicle breakdown; now 'firenadoes' are brewing

(Newser) - California's latest wildfire is only getting worse, and "firenadoes" aren't helping. That's the term used by a spokesman for the crews battling what is known as the Carr Fire in Shasta County, reports ABC News . Think winds of about 60mph fanning flames into a "fire...

'Wall of Flames' Hits Northern Calif. City

At least 3 firefighters injured; bulldozer operator killed

(Newser) - An explosive wildfire tore through two small Northern California communities Thursday before reaching the city of Redding, killing a bulldozer operator on the fire lines, burning three firefighters, destroying dozens of homes, and forcing thousands to flee. Scott McLean, a CalFire spokesman for the crews battling the blaze, says flames...

Alleged Arsonist Arrested After Entire Town Evacuated

California police believe suspect set 5 fires

(Newser) - A fast-moving wildfire—believed to have been sparked by arson—tore through trees, burned five homes, and forced evacuation orders for an entire forest town as California sweltered under a heat wave and battled ferocious fires at both ends of the state. The so-called Cranston Fire, which erupted Wednesday in...

Their Home Destroyed, He 'Put a Smile' on His Wife's Face

After finding Laura Rao's wedding ring in ashes, Ishu Rao proposed to her all over again

(Newser) - Out of the ashes, a … proposal will rise. That's the bittersweet story out of Goleta, Calif., where an out-of-control fire scorched about 100 acres and destroyed more than a dozen homes after it started Friday night, local fire officials tell the San Luis Obispo Tribune . Ishu and Laura...

Thousands Flee Fires in Dry Rural California

'Wildfire season is upon us'

(Newser) - Wind-driven wildfires destroyed buildings and threatened hundreds of others as they raced across dry brush in rural northern California over the weekend. The Pawnee Fire, which broke out Saturday near Clearlake Oaks, has destroyed 12 buildings and threatened an additional 600. As of Sunday, there was no containment and it...

We Spent More Money Than Ever on Weather Disasters

Credit 3 hurricanes, wildfires, hail, flooding, tornadoes, and drought in 2017

(Newser) - With three strong hurricanes, wildfires, hail, flooding, tornadoes, and drought, the United States tallied a record high bill last year for weather disasters: $306 billion. The US had 16 disasters last year with damage exceeding a billion dollars, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Monday. That ties 2011 for...

Trump Declares Major Disaster in California

Move means feds will cover costs of devastating wildfire

(Newser) - President Trump has declared a major disaster in California over a wildfire that destroyed more than 1,000 buildings as fierce winds whipped it through Ventura and Santa Barbara counties last month, the AP reports. The declaration makes federal funding available to state and local governments and some nonprofit organizations...

Wildfire Is Now Second Biggest in Calif. History

Thomas fire is still only 55% contained

(Newser) - A wildfire that has burned hundreds of homes in coastal mountains northwest of Los Angeles is now the second-largest blaze in California history. State fire officials say the 425-square-mile Thomas fire burning in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties is slightly larger than the 2012 Rush fire in Lassen County, the...

Firefighter Dies Battling Massive California Blaze

Cal Fire 'shaken to the core'

(Newser) - Cal Fire San Diego Chief Tony Meacham says he took "the call that no fire chief ever wants to receive" Thursday when he was told a local firefighter had died battling the massive Thomas fire. Cory Iverson, a 32-year-old engineer with a state fire engine strike team, is survived...

California Fire Now Bigger Than NYC
California Fire Now
Bigger Than NYC
Dec 11, 2017 6:46 AM CST

California Fire Now Bigger Than NYC

'Squirrely' winds are making firefighting difficult

(Newser) - One of several wildfires burning in southern California is now the fifth-biggest fire on record in the state and firefighters are losing ground: Containment of the Thomas fire slipped from 15% to 10% as wind speeds picked up Sunday, the Los Angeles Times reports. The fire, which has now spread...

California Governor Says Fires Are the 'New Normal'

Jerry Brown also says the U.S. needs 'heroic' effort to fight climate change

(Newser) - California Gov. Jerry Brown says deadly and destructive wildfires in winter are "the new normal." Brown on Saturday toured Ventura County neighborhoods ravaged by a weeklong wildfire that killed at least one person and destroyed hundreds of homes and other buildings. At a news conference, Brown said drought...

New Calif. Wildfire's Victims: Elite Horses

Lilac Fire adds to region's misery

(Newser) - California's newest wildfire tore through retirement communities built on golf courses and killed elite thoroughbred horses in its first destructive day. The new blaze in San Diego County means a huge swath of Southern California is now in flames after December's shockingly dry, hot, and windy conditions brought...

Against an Inferno, Man Rescues the Smallest Creature

Wild rabbit saved

(Newser) - Whether you consider it brave or foolish, it's tough not to consider it incredible. NBC News has video of a driver who pulled over on California's Highway 1 near La Conchita to save a wild rabbit from the blazing wildfire that's painting the backdrop orange. As the...

California: 'The Forecast for Tomorrow Is Purple'

Wind, fire dangers hit unprecedented level

(Newser) - Southern California has felt yellow wind, orange wind, and red wind. But never purple wind. Until now. The color-coded system showing the expected strength of the winds driving the region's fierce wildfires has reached uncharted territory, pushing past red, which means "high," into the color that means...

Southern California Wildfire Reaches Pacific

Ring of fire surrounds former Johnny Cash home

(Newser) - Terrifying wildfires are continuing to rage in southern California, where the Thomas fire in Ventura County reached the Pacific Ocean Tuesday after spreading to at least 50,000 acres, crossing oil fields and freeways. The fire, which caused Gov. Jerry Brown to declare a state of emergency, has caused mass...

Southern Calif. Wildfire Growing 'Exponentially'

Thousands have fled homes in Ventura County

(Newser) - Ferocious winds in Southern California whipped up an explosive wildfire that forced thousands of homes to evacuate and could soon threaten a city of more than 100,000, authorities say. The blaze broke out Monday and grew wildly to more than 15 square miles in the hours that followed, consuming...

Parents Still Don't Know Calif. Wildfire Killed Both Kids

Kai died while trying to flee; Kressa lost her life 3 weeks later

(Newser) - As California's wine country begins the slow process of rebuilding in the wake of the wildfires that devastated the region in early October, for one family, picking up the pieces will be unthinkably difficult. The Los Angeles Times revisits the Shepherds, a family of four who experienced tragedy in...

Calif.'s Other Big Problem Amid Blazes: 'Fire Devils'

Fire tornadoes fueled by powerful winds were strong enough to flip cars, damage homes

(Newser) - Like earthquakes can unleash tsunamis, strong winds and the California wildfires apparently set loose another type of natural disaster: fire tornadoes. And the San Francisco Chronicle says the fire-filled tornadoes that hit Santa Rosa last week, driven by nearly 80mph winds, wreaked major havoc, tossing cars, pulling trees out of...

Burned by California Wildfires: Local Marijuana Industry

At least 31 pot farms have been destroyed, with many more damaged—and no crop insurance

(Newser) - The same fires that have destroyed Northern California's wineries have also taken a toll on the region's marijuana farms, which were about to begin an important harvest less than three months before the nation's largest recreational pot market opens for business in January. At least 31 marijuana...

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