Wildfires in the US state of California doubled in size on Friday. 175,000 people have now been asked to evacuate. Six people have been killed so far.
California Governor Gavin Newsom reports that firefighters are currently trying to extinguish 560 fires across the state. On Friday morning it was still 370 fires. More than 500 homes have already been destroyed and 43 people, including many firefighters, have been injured.
The wildfires broke out last week. The fires were caused by a combination of heat, dry weather and heavy thunderstorms. At the beginning of the forest fire season, some 12,000 lightning bolts were counted in the area. It was the heaviest thunderstorms in almost 20 years.
The governor has now called 175,000 people to leave their homes. “We are by no means naive and realize how serious the situation is. It is essential that people follow the evacuation order and take it seriously,” Newsom said during a press briefing Friday. On Tuesday he already declared a state of emergency in California.
In Santa Cruz, all 65,000 residents have been called to pack their things. The Conflagration is located less than 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) from the University of California in the coastal city.
At least six dead so far
At least six people have been killed so far, according to the California fire department. One of them died trying to put out the fire. A fire brigade helicopter pilot was killed after his helicopter crashed during firefighting operations.
According to medical experts, the corona pandemic is making forest fires even more dangerous. Smoke and extreme heat pose a risk to the elderly and people with respiratory problems.
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