California firefighters continue to fight today to bring the burning fronts uncontrollably in the Los Angeles area as new outbreaks erupt in San Diego and Santa Barbara, prompting authorities to proceed with the crackdown. .
According to the Los Angeles Meteorological Service, the winds have stopped slightly (and blow between 50 and 80 km / h) compared to yesterday where their speed was similar to that of the winds that accompany a Category 1 cyclone.
Conditions in the southern part of the state remain "extremely dangerous" due to drought and unusually high temperatures for the season, warned the Calfire fire department.
Today, President Donald Trump declared a state of emergency in California, allowing the release of federal aid. He instructed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate rescue operations.
Just before noon, Calfire reported that 212.000 residents were still away from their homes.
More than 230.000 people were forced to flee their homes yesterday after the first fires broke out on Monday in Los Angeles and the wider area off the west coast of the United States. About 600 people were hosted overnight Thursday through Friday at Red Cross reception centers.
At least 8.700 firefighters were deployed today to assist in the firefighting operations on several fronts.
In San Diego County, an hour and a half from southern Los Angeles, two fronts have surrounded the city of Murrietta.
Further south, the "Lilac" front reduced more than 16.000 acres to ashes in less than 24 hours, and authorities ordered the evacuation of threatened areas.
The fire is "spreading at a dangerous speed" and has already destroyed 65 buildings, according to firefighters. In the northern part, the fire "Liberty" burned 1200 acres of vegetation and only 10% of it has been brought under control.
In this area, first aid services reported that at least 4 people were injured, having suffered burns or had inhaled smoke.
At the same point the authorities also had to remove many horses, some of which did not survive. In San Luis Ray, at least 25 horses were burned alive, according to the local press.
Santa Barbara is in a state of emergency
Cliff Saisi, a professional trainer, told CBS8 that he tried in vain to save his mare, who was trapped in the flames:
"It was dark, everything was on fire and the horse was not coming out. (…) It burned very soon ".
In Ventura County, northwest Los Angeles, more than 2.500 firefighters battled the blaze in the deadliest blaze.
"Thomas" has destroyed 530.000 acres and only 10% of the fire has been brought under control, according to the latest report, this morning.
One person was killed and more than 400 were destroyed in the blaze, which left more than 85 people dead.
At least 15.000 buildings continue to be threatened by the blaze.
"Thomas" is heading northwest and threatens the city of Santa Barbara, which the governor of California Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency. Resident evacuation operations started yesterday.
A short distance from Los Angeles, the "Skirball" fire reduced to ashes many houses in the Bel Air district, the district of billionaires. More than 700 houses were evacuated.
Flames up to 10 meters high burned the lush vegetation on the hills where luxurious houses dominate, reminiscent of Tuscan castles or miniature palaces.
The fire engulfed the property and vineyard of media mogul Robert Murdoch, valued at a total of $ 30 million.
According to the latest report released by the authorities this afternoon, more than 500 buildings have been destroyed by the six fires raging in the state and 25.660 homes are threatened.
In addition, 570000 acres of land were burned.
