Since the days of separate fires tear through parts of California, fanned by strong winds. Hundreds of thousands of people had to be evacuated from their homes, numerous buildings fell victim to the flames. “For the third year in a row, we are threatened by immense forest fires, but not as bad as it is now was never,” says Tamedia correspondent Walter Niederberger who lives in one of the affected areas and had to flee. “We are one of the Lucky ones who were able to escape the danger zone completely and in safety. This does not apply to many of our friends in Sonoma.”
In Sonoma County, a wine-growing region, around 120 kilometers North of San Francisco, the situation is at its worst. The presence of the “Kincaid”fire has spread to more than 100 square kilometers – larger than the area of the city of Zurich. Around 185’000 people were asked to leave their homes. According to the local police, it is “the biggest evacuation, of which we can remember”. At least two wineries and 80 property burnt down, and around 23’000 more houses are threatened.
Can just flee the bare minimum to take: residents of Healdsburg in Sonoma County in front of the flames. Photo:
The Governor of California Gavin Newsom imposed on Sunday for the entire U.S. state of the state of emergency, because of the “Kincaid”fire is not the only Brand that keeps the authorities in breath.
In southern California rages on, the “Tick”of fire about 50 miles from Los Angeles. In the meantime, here are some 40’000 people had to leave their homes, dozens of buildings have been destroyed or damaged, 10’000 buildings are considered to be at risk.
“I’ve seen in 30 years, never anything like this.”Steve Anderson, a meteorologist
Because it is currently extremely dry and there is little humidity, can spread the fires further. In addition, you will be fanned by “historically,” strong winds that reached up to 160 kilometers per hour, which is hurricane strength.
in 2017, in the worst year, there were also those “El Diablo”winds. However, they stopped only about six to eight hours. This year it will be up to 36 hours. “I’ve been 30 years in this business, and I have never seen anything like this,” said Steve Anderson of the national weather service, compared with U.S. media.
more Difficult of the fire fighting: sparks and embers can be thrown around by the Wind. Photo:
In the case of strong winds, the danger that the current pull-off masts fall over, or Branches lines for a fire to ignite threatens. The forest fire in the Northern California town of Paradise, the cost of the house in November of last year, 85 people, is said to have been caused by broken power lines.
The utility company Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) began on Saturday evening, almost a Million households in Northern and Central California turn the power off. Governor Gavin Newsom accused PG&E, the Blackouts were the result of “years of greed and mismanagement”. PG&E had failed to make its plants safer, which is why the company should pay for the economic damage.
Total destruction: burned houses in Geyserville in Northern California. Photo:
An end to the conflagration is in sight. Strong gusts of wind provide the flames, according to the national weather service, up to and including Monday (local time) ideal conditions. Then you should flatten out, only to be on the Wednesday or Thursday again. In addition, no rain for the next ten days that will defuse the Situation.
can return our correspondent Walter niederberger back home, is uncertain: “We have been able to pack four suitcases with the Essentials. This is all we have, if our house should burn down.”
Created: 28.10.2019, 11:32 PM
