Fire crews across California are battling two major fire fronts in the US state that have so far killed 10 people and forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of people.
In the north, fires stretching across eight seperate counties have reportedly claimed at least ten lives, as fire crews battle against some unexpectedly high winds and a lack of humidity, which is fuelling the large inferno.
Reports suggest that the fires, which are burning in 15 different locations, have already consumed some 30,000 hectares of land, and destroyed 1,500 buildings which includes both homes and businesses. The fires in the north are centred throughout the Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino counties, which sit within the heart of California’s incredibly wealthy and profitable wine region.
Many residents were caught off-guard overnight, fleeing the fires in cars and – in some cases – on foot.
aerial footage of the #NapaFire https://t.co/haqpyBlRxz
— Adam Housley (@adamhousley) October 9, 2017
#BREAKING: Unbelievable wildfires in NorCal are wiping out homes. Alyssa O’Gorman shot this in Calistoga. Evacuations also in Santa Rosa. pic.twitter.com/DpOuYITLsM
— Brandi Hitt (@BrandiHitt) October 9, 2017
Officials at the Californian Department of Forestry and Fire Protection confirmed that at least ten people have died in the fires since last Sunday night; seven in Sonoma county, two in Napa, and one in Mendocino.
Meanwhile in southern California, fire crews in Anaheim are struggling to contain a blaze that came as close as 24km to the area’s iconic Disneyland park, casting a ghoulish orange hue across the area.
Eerie skies over @Disneyland looks like the #HalloweenTime advertisement… #canyonfire2 #anaheimhills pic.twitter.com/5LL4yF61H2
— Amanda Busick 🆎 (@AmandaBusick) October 9, 2017
The fire in the Anaheim Hills sparked yesterday, but quickly grew from 10 hectares to a 2,000 hectare front as the area’s infamous Santa Ana winds pushed the fire along. Local news coverage shows a large fire front and has confirmed at least a handful of homes have been set alight by the blaze.
#CanyonFire2 UPDATE: Both directions of 91 Freeway open; 1 lane remains closed as Anaheim Hills fire continues https://t.co/WqzCglT6tc pic.twitter.com/tU14zppybO
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) October 9, 2017
Aerial shots of Anaheim Hills Fire in Orange County pic.twitter.com/3tRZwBZXfN
— Steve (@Steveunn) October 9, 2017
#BREAKINGNEWS At least 2 homes burned as Anaheim Hills fire continues to rage amid warm, windy conditionshttps://t.co/IRXMt5TSB4 pic.twitter.com/H0RCn3iZpf
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) October 9, 2017
Wildfires are particularly common in California in October, with wind and air conditions providing ample fuel for any fire that sparks, coupled with vegetation dried out after baking in the summer sun.
Officials have considered imposing a curfew in affected areas to prevent any instances of looting on damaged or destroyed properties.
