"Hellish Scenes" in California's Major Fires

Three parallel fires threaten tens of thousands of homes in southern California. In one and a half hours, the sky went from cherry red to coal black, says a resident of Wrightwood, about an hour and a half from Los Angeles.

» Published:

"Hellish Scenes" in California's Major Fires
Photo: Eric Thayer/AP/TT

Share this article

It was extremely hellish, I would say, says 20-year-old Alex Luna to the American AP.

Ash fell from the sky as if it were snowing.

Luna is one of thousands who have been forced to evacuate as the fire has spread in dry terrain at temperatures of nearly 40 degrees. Another is Janice Quick, who was having lunch outdoors when embers the size of her thumbnail began raining down on the table.

I've never seen anything like it and I've been through fires before, says Quick, who has lived in Wrightwood for 45 years.

In nearby Orange County, helicopters, planes, and bulldozers have been deployed to try to contain a fire that is spreading rapidly.

On Wednesday, the long-standing heatwave finally subsided somewhat, giving firefighters hope of making progress in the battle against the flames.

This year's fires in California have already destroyed an area three times larger than during the entire forest fire season last year. At least three firefighters have been injured.

It's not just California that's been affected. Large forest fires are raging in several other states in western USA, including Idaho, Oregon, and Nevada.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Over 300 Korean Workers Flown Home on Korean Air Charter After Georgia Detention

Over 300 Korean Workers Flown Home on Korean Air Charter After Georgia Detention

Green Party Uses Humor in Norwegian Government Talks

Green Party Uses Humor in Norwegian Government Talks

Rubio Affirms US Unwavering Support for Israel's Gaza Goals

Rubio Affirms US Unwavering Support for Israel's Gaza Goals

Ukraine Faces Intensified Russian Drone and Missile Attacks: Is Air Defense Enough?

Ukraine Faces Intensified Russian Drone and Missile Attacks: Is Air Defense Enough?

Thunberg's Convoy Departs Tunisia for Gaza with Aid and Activists

Thunberg's Convoy Departs Tunisia for Gaza with Aid and Activists

1,200 Civilians Affected by Cluster Bombs in Ukraine Since 2022

1,200 Civilians Affected by Cluster Bombs in Ukraine Since 2022

Turkey Court Delays Verdict on Opposition Party Election Case

Turkey Court Delays Verdict on Opposition Party Election Case

320,000 Palestinians Evacuate Gaza City Amid Israeli Military Warnings

320,000 Palestinians Evacuate Gaza City Amid Israeli Military Warnings

Trump's Unique Second State Visit to UK: Royal Welcome Planned

Trump's Unique Second State Visit to UK: Royal Welcome Planned

Starlink Outage Impacts Ukraine's Defense Operations

Starlink Outage Impacts Ukraine's Defense Operations

Australia Faces Major Climate Change Impacts Over Next 25 Years

Australia Faces Major Climate Change Impacts Over Next 25 Years

EU Faces Backlash Over Trade Deal with Trump Amid Criticism

EU Faces Backlash Over Trade Deal with Trump Amid Criticism

Island Residents in Equatorial Guinea Face Year-Long Internet Shutdown

Island Residents in Equatorial Guinea Face Year-Long Internet Shutdown

Trump Urges Israel to Be Cautious After Qatar Attack

Trump Urges Israel to Be Cautious After Qatar Attack

Far-Right Gains Momentum in German Local Elections

Far-Right Gains Momentum in German Local Elections

Lula Defends Bolsonaro Verdict as Upholding Democracy, Not a Witch Hunt

Lula Defends Bolsonaro Verdict as Upholding Democracy, Not a Witch Hunt

Over 100,000 Join Pro-Palestinian Protest in Madrid, Disrupting Cycling Event

Over 100,000 Join Pro-Palestinian Protest in Madrid, Disrupting Cycling Event

Massive Ankara Protest Backs Turkish Opposition Amid Court Case

Massive Ankara Protest Backs Turkish Opposition Amid Court Case

Romania Summons Russian Ambassador Over Drone Airspace Violation

Romania Summons Russian Ambassador Over Drone Airspace Violation

Kirk Murder Suspect Tyler Robinson Not Cooperating with Authorities

Kirk Murder Suspect Tyler Robinson Not Cooperating with Authorities