California’s largest “Gifford” wildfire is still raging, having burned over 125,000 acres of land and threatening more than 800 homes. This is just one of the 13 active wildfires in California.
The period from July to October is typically wildfire season in California, and multiple wildfires have been erupting frequently since last month. Officials are concerned that the wildfire threats in August and September could worsen. Both Cal Fire and the National Weather Service Los Angeles office have pointed out that Southern California has seen months without rain, leading to ongoing drought and excessive grasslands.
According to the report from Cal Fire, there are currently 13 active wildfires burning in both Northern and Southern California, with over 6,840 firefighters actively engaged in extinguishing them.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the 13 wildfires have destroyed 11 structures, injured 12 civilians and firefighters, burned approximately 174,000 acres of land – that’s more than half the size of Los Angeles city. It’s known that two wildfires were sparked by lightning, while the cause of the remaining wildfires is still under investigation.
On August 1st, the “Gifford” wildfire broke out in Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo County, quickly escalating to become the largest wildfire in California so far this year.
Due to the rapid spread of the flames, officials have closed sections of State Highway 166, leading to the evacuation of residents in some areas along the route, which remains in effect. The large amount of smoke from the ongoing wildfires is also threatening air quality in regions like Los Angeles and Ventura County.
The continued extreme heat in Southern California is making firefighting efforts even more challenging. As of Tuesday afternoon, the “Gifford” wildfire has burned over 125,000 acres of land, threatening 821 homes, with 7 firefighters and 3 civilians injured, and a containment rate of 33%.
The “Canyon Fire” erupted on August 7th at the border of Ventura County and Los Angeles County, influenced by hot, dry weather and steep terrain, leading to rapid spread: thousands of people were forced to flee their homes and 7 structures were destroyed.
Up to now, the fire has consumed 5,370 acres of land, with a containment rate of 96%. Firefighters are strengthening containment lines in the wildfire’s center to prevent further flare-ups.
On August 4th, several wildfires broke out in the inland Empire of Southern California, including the sudden “Rosa Fire” in Riverside County and the “Gold Fire” in San Bernardino County, with thousands of firefighters engaged in firefighting efforts.
By Tuesday afternoon, the Rosa Fire had a containment rate of 98%, burning an area of 1,671 acres, and all evacuation warnings had been lifted. However, the fire department noted that firefighters will patrol the vicinity, monitor hotspots, and conduct firefighting repair and cleanup work.
In contrast, the situation with the Gold Fire is slightly more severe: having burnt an area of 1,069 acres with a containment rate of 63%, some roads remain closed. Authorities also remind all visitors not to enter the Holcomb Valley Campground and Pinnacles Climbing areas, as they have been closed.
In Northern California, an active wildfire has led to the temporary closure of more than one national forest. This is the “Orleans Complex” wildfire that has been burning since July 9th.
According to Cal Fire’s latest update on August 11th, the complex wildfire has burned 22,126 acres of land with an average containment rate of 81%. The fire has affected Klamath National Forest and Six Rivers National Forest, both of which have been forced to close.
In the far northern region of California, the “Green Fire” erupted on July 1st, scorching approximately 19,000 acres. Fortunately, as of August 4th, the fire has a containment rate of 99%.