More than 1,000 fire fighters are currently trying to contain and extinguish the blaze which has burnt more than 5,895 acres. Four people have been injured in the latest wildfire to wreak havoc in California: that, of the La Tuna fire near Burbank. Two suffered minor burns, while the others passed out from dehydration. A state of emergency was declared for Los Angeles County by California Governor Jerry Brown, with 300 homes in Burbank and 180 homes in Los Angeles being evacuated. On Sunday night, hundreds of those affected had started to return home.
Chaos in the city
The fire began on Friday morning and ripped through the La Tuna Canyon Park area of the Verdugo Mountains. Interstate 210 was shut down causing chaos for those heading in and out of the city, especially those on their way to the airports and Camping Sites. Up to Sunday night, the Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed that about 25 percent of the blaze had been contained, with the help of 206 fire engines and nine helicopters dedicated to fighting the inferno. Nearly four homes have been destroyed, with the chance of others being damaged very high. Firefighters are confident that unless the winds pick up again, they stand aa good opportunity to extinguishing the blaze.
All city agencies have been instructed to "take all necessary steps to protect life and property in the area, " and while they are doing the best they can there, the overall situation looks grim.
A heat wave gripped western states more than one week ago, with San Francisco hitting a record high of 106 degrees on Friday. Since the 1870s, it was the third time that the city experienced back-to-back triple digit days. South of the city, temperatures soared to 115 degrees forcing the Bay Area Rapid Transit system to order trains to slow down on rails that were exposed to the sun.
It was a necessary precaution in case the heat caused the metal tracks to expand and shift slightly.
Camping sites closed
Several camping sites were forced to close and holiday travel was disrupted in Oregon, as dozens of other fires sent up large plumes of smoke, causing many roads to close and triggering panic in onlookers.
After they got stuck between two blazes, 140 hikers were even forced to shelter in place overnight on Saturday, on a trail about 90 miles east of Portland.
More than 12,000 fire fighters are battling 19 wildfires in total across California. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has also confirmed that in addition to homes, vegetation and wildlife which would have been affected, Yosemite National Park has also suffered terribly. Wildfires razed through a 2,700-year-old grove of huge sequoia trees, destroying every one. It is believed that gunfire actually sparked that particular wildfire, which began last month and destroyed more than 60 homes. Authorities are now offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for starting the blaze. There are hopes that cooler temperatures and some rain will aid fire fighters in their valiant efforts this week.
.
