Large Fire in California Out of Control

The uncontrolled forest fire east of Los Angeles is still not under control – and steep terrain is hindering the extinguishing. At the same time, at least 30 buildings have been destroyed in another fire further north.

» Updated:

» Published:

Large Fire in California Out of Control
Photo: Eric Thayer/AP/TT

Share this article

A thick blanket of dark smoke lies over the entire area.

The fire, which is around 7,000 hectares in size, started on Thursday and is still raging in the San Bernardino national park. Over 600 firefighters are battling the flames that threaten more than 35,000 buildings.

The fire burned so intensely over the weekend that it created its own thunderstorm-like weather system, according to the US Meteorological Organization National Weather Service. This risks leading to strong gusts of wind and lightning strikes – which could further worsen the situation.

The firefighters are already struggling in the steep terrain, which makes it harder to get the flames under control. The authorities have ordered the evacuation of several nearby towns.

The risk of losing our home and everything we've worked so hard for is terrifying, says Joseph Escobedo, who lives in Angelus Oaks outside Los Angeles, to AP.

He and his family were some of the few remaining who had not yet evacuated on Sunday afternoon, local time.

It's hard to leave and not know if we'll be able to come back, says Escobedo as he and his family pack up the essentials to flee the flames and smoke.

Meanwhile, around 4,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes in Clearlake, 117 kilometers north of San Francisco, after a small forest fire that started on Sunday afternoon spread. About 30 homes and commercial buildings had caught fire by then.

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