California fire danger remains high even as winds ease
Chiu)LOS ANGELES โ Fire danger remained high Friday amid unpredictable wind gusts and dry conditions in Southern California, as crews made progress against blazes that burned several homes and injured two firefighters. After the weather calms in the southern part of the state, winds are expected to increase in Northern California starting Sunday, forecasters said. The couple told KNBC-TV that they had started up a generator after the power was shut off by Southern California Edison as a precaution against high winds knocking down power lines and sparking a fire. Some residents said they didn't receive evacuation alerts because Southern California Edison had shut off power as a precaution before the fire erupted, leaving them without cellphone service. Virtually all of Northern California is in severe or extreme drought while nearly all of Southern California is abnormally dry or worse.
Wind fans wildfire in California canyons, residents flee
The fire grew to more than 11 square miles (29 square kilometers) and blanketed a wide area with smoke and ash. Scientists have said climate change has made California much drier, meaning trees and other plants are more flammable. A few miles to the north, a blaze near Corona Municipal Airport shut down State Route 71 and had residents getting ready to flee. More than 6,500 square miles (16,835 square kilometers) have been scorched, a total larger than the combined area of Connecticut and Rhode Island. Virtually all of Northern California is in severe or extreme drought while nearly all of Southern California is abnormally dry or worse.