1.3 Million Acres Burn As Wind, Lightning Bedevil CA Firefighters

CALIFORNIA — More than ten thousand firefighters battled the second and third largest fires in California history Sunday, as hundreds of fires burned a combined 1.3 million acres. More than 100,000 people have been forced to flee their homes, and weather conditions are expected to fan the flames with intense wind gusts and more dry lightning.

California firefighters have never been stretched so thin while battling so many catastrophic wildfires at once.

Crews worked aggressively Sunday night to contain fire lines in preparation for another round lightning strikes and red flag wind gusts.

Since Aug. 15, the Golden State has been hammered by some 12,100 lightning strikes, igniting more than 615 wildfires along the way.

The National Weather Service is forecasting hot dry conditions, dry lightning and heavy wind gusts of up to 65 mph. The effects of Mexico's Hurricane Genevieve will be felt in California Sunday, triggering thunderstorms through Thursday.

Maps of North and South pic.twitter.com/RHasdLew45
— CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) August 23, 2020

"This dry lightning will likely hamper efforts to contain the current fires and may spark new fires," Cal Fire said in a statewide news release Sunday.

Cal Fire predicts that lightning storms could persist in October and an above-normal fire potential could persist through October in Northern California.

Seven have died in the out-of-control fires, 115,000 have evacuated their homes, and more than 3,488 structures have been destroyed. The fires have hampered air quality up and down the state, prompting officials to issue evacuation warnings and air quality advisories.

By Sunday night, the SCU Lightning Complex became the second largest wildfire in California history, scorching 343,965 acres with 10 percent containment. The LNU Lightning Complex is the state's third largest fire ever, burning 347,630 acres with 21 percent containment.

What it’s like driving through a wildfire at night #CZULightingComplex pic.twitter.com/LdkZBBp1Eb
— CAL FIRE CZU (@CALFIRECZU) August 23, 2020

More evacuation orders were issued in Alameda County at 3 a.m. Sunday, forcing thousands to flee from their homes and business fronts from the SCU Lightning Complex.

Fire crews, overwhelmed by the massive lightning complex fires in Northern California, gathered 300 hundred more firefighters Sunday, bringing the total to 14,000 personnel to the frontlines from engines all over the state.

As Cal Fire continues to request help, more firefighters are expected to arrive from out of state and possibly out of the country as Gov. Gavin Newsom asked Canada and Australia to lend fire personnel Friday. Newsom also secured more federal assistance from U.S. President Donald Trump Saturday.

The Presidential Major Disaster Declaration is expected to help citizens in impacted counties by offering access to crisis counseling, housing and unemployment assistance as well as legal services. It will also provide federal assistance to help state, tribal and local governments fund fire agencies, recovery and other protective measures.

Have an emergency supply kit ready in the event of an evacuation:
Facemasks & sanitation supplies
3 days supply of non-perishables
3 gallons of water per person
Prescriptions
Clothing
Flashlights
Important documents

https://t.co/4IHPDeOfBA pic.twitter.com/wjxFdPQ0rb
— Office of the Governor of California (@CAgovernor) August 23, 2020

"Thank you to the President for your partnership and granting this urgent Major Disaster Declaration," Newsom said in a news release Saturday. "California is battling two of the largest fires in our history and has seen nearly 600 new fires in the last week caused by dry lightning strikes. These are unprecedented times and conditions, but California is strong – we will get through this."

According to Cal Fire, the military is also supporting the effort with several C-130 aircrafts equipped with fire fighting systems that double as air tankers.

California Wildfires Ignite Political Firestorm

"The hots are getting hotter. The dries are getting drier. Climate change is real," Gov. Gavin Newsom said as he addressed the wildfires in a video recorded for the Democratic National Convention on Thursday night. "If you are in denial about climate change, come to California."

Here are some of the major fires that were burning in California as of Sunday night, according to Cal Fire and the U.S. Forest Service:

LNU Lightning Complex Fire

• 347,630 acres with 21 percent containment as of 7:30 p.m. Aug. 23
• Hennessey Fire (Merged Fires - Gamble, Green, Aetna, Markley, Spanish, Morgan, Round): Hennessey Ridge Road in Napa County, Califonia. The fire is current 287,811 acres and 17 percent contained
• Sonoma County:
• Walbridge Fire (merged with Stewarts): West of Healdsburg. The fire is currently 51,072 acres with zero containment
• Meyers Fire: North of Jenner. The fire is currently 2,360 acres and 70 percent contained
• Start Date: Aug. 17
• Counties: Napa, Sonoma, Lake, Yolo, Solano
• READ MORE: 'Significant Fire Growth' Anticipated In LNU Lightning Complex

SCU Lightning Complex

• 343,965 acres and 10 percent contained as of 7:30 p.m. Aug. 23
• Start Date: Aug. 18
• 20 fires in the complex
• Marsh 3,000 acres
• Canyon/Reservoir (merged) 285,485 acres
• Deer 3,294 acres
• Counties: Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Joaquin, Stanislaus
• Location: Multiple locations throughout Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties
• Multiple evacuations ordered
• READ MORE: SCU Lightning Complex Fire: More Evacuations And A Perfect Storm

CZU August Lightning Fire

• 74,000 acres, 8 percent contained as 8 p.m. Aug. 23
• Start Date: Aug. 17
• Warnell Fire has now merged with CZU Lightning Fire
• Counties: San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties
• Evacuations in place
• READ MORE CZU Lightning Complex Fires Burn 74K Acres, 77,000 Forced To Flee

River Fire

• 48,424 acres, 15 percent contained as of Aug. 23
• Start Date: Aug. 16
• County: Monterey
• Location: Pine Canyon and River Road, east of Salinas
• Evacuations in place
• Read More: Immediate Evacuations Issued For Carmel And River Fires

Carmel Fire

• 6,695 acres, 10 percent contained as of Aug. 23
• Start date: Aug. 16
• County: Monterey
• Evacuations in place
• Location: Cachagua Road and Carmel Valley Road, south of Carmel
• Read More: Immediate Evacuations Issued For Carmel And River Fires

Moc Fire, Tuolumne County

• 2,800 acres, brush, 10 percent contained as of Aug. 23
• Evacuations in place

Apple Fire

• 33,424 acres, 95 percent contained as of Aug. 18
• Start Date: July 31
• County: Riverside
• Location: Off of Oak Glen Road and Apple Tree Lane, north of Cherry Valley
• READ MORE: Apple Fire Burn Area Mapped, Spared From Flooding and Mudslides

BTU/TGU Lightning Complex Fire

• 48,200 acres and 13 percent contained as of 3:21 p.m. Aug. 23
• Start Date: Aug. 17
• Elkhorn 33,000 acres
• Ivory 12,500 acres
• Potters (5-4) 1,012 acres
• Counties: Butte, Tehama and Glenn counties
• Location: Southwest of Red Bank Road

Lake Fire

• 31,089 acres and 58 percent contained as of 7:18 p.m. Aug. 23
• Start Date: Aug. 12
• County: Los Angeles
• Location: Lake Hughes Road and Prospect Road, southwest Lake Hughes

North Complex Fire

• 27,701 acres, 5 percent contained as of Aug. 23
• Start Date: Aug. 18
• County: Plumas
• Location: Flemmings Sheep Camp
• Evacuations in place

Holser Fire

• 3,000 acres, 100 percent contained as of Aug. 23
• Start Date: Aug. 17
• County: Ventura
• Location: Holser Canyon Road and Piru Canyon Road, south of Lake Piru

Salt Fire

• 1,789 acres, 85 percent contained as of 9:26 a.m. Aug. 22
• Start Date: Aug. 18
• County: Calaveras
• Location: Salt Springs Valley Reservoir

Hills Fire

• 2,121 acres, 94 percent contained as of Aug. 23
• Start Date: Aug. 15
• County: Fresno
• Location: Highway 33 and Sutter Avenue, south of Coalinga in Fresno County

Woodward Fire

• 2,689 acres, 5 percent contained as of Aug. 23
• Start Date: Aug. 18
• County: Marin
• Location: Point Reyes National Seashore
• READ MORE: Woodward Fire: 2,259 Acres Burned, 5% Contained In Marin County

Dolan Fire

• 19,278 acres, 10 percent contained as of Aug. 23
• Start Date: Aug. 19
• County: Monterey
• READ MORE: Dolan Fire Shuts Highway 1 And Burns In All Directions
• SEE ALSO: Man Accused Of Arson In Connection To Big Sur Dolan Fire

Jones Fire

• 705 acres, 55 percent as of Aug. 23
• Start Date: Aug. 17
• County: Nevada
• Location: Jones Bar Road, Yuba River Drainage, northwest of Nevada City
• Evacuation in place

Elsmere Fire

• 200 acres, 30 percent contained as of Aug. 21
• Start Date: Aug. 3
• County: Los Angeles
• Location: Elsmere Grapevine Road and Santa Clarita Truck Trail, Newhall

Post Fire

• 120 acres, 35 percent contained as of Aug. 21
• Start Date: Aug. 2
• County: Los Angeles
• Location: Northbound I-5 and Highway 138, south of Gorman in Los Angeles County

3-19 Fire

• 62 acres, 100 percent contained as of 7 a.m. Aug. 21
• Start Date: Aug. 18
• County: Mendocino
• Location: Burris Lane in Potter Valley

(As Cal Fire's website has been down intermittently, here are some alternate places to find the latest information on fires burning across California: The National Forest Service's Fire Map I Cal Fire's official Twitter account I Cal Fire's Official Facebook page)

State, federal, local, and military resources are on the front lines aggressively battling the dynamic wildfires across California. As they continue their efforts, you can do your part to plan, prepare, and stay aware. Learn more at https://t.co/sWZPp02O9t. pic.twitter.com/OattIdjyAl — CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) August 21, 2020