August 23, 2020
2 mins read

Trump declares California wildfires ‘Major Disaster’

U.S.-WASHINGTON D.C.-TRUMP-BRAZIL-PRESIDENT-PRESS by .
U.S. President Donald Trump (Xinhua/Ting Shen)
US President Donald Trump (Photo: WH/Twitter)

US President Donald Trump has declared that the California wildfires as a major disaster. The massive wildfires wreaking havoc across California, have already burnt over 1 million acres of land and forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents. The President has also released federal aid help out the victims.

Currently, more than 14,000 firefighters were battling to contain the blazes which were caused by over 12,000 dry lightning strikes last week during a historic heat wave in which temperatures in the Death Valley National Park reached the highest since 1931, the BBC reported.

On Saturday, CalFire, the state’s fire department, said that people should brace for more lightning till Tuesday and make further evacuation plans.

According to local authorities, at least six deaths were linked to the wildfires that are believed to be the “largest ever”.

Most of the destruction has been caused by three large fire complexes in mountainous and wooded rural areas.

On Saturday, California Governor Gavin Newsom said the S.C.U. Lightening Complex group of about 20 fires south and east of San Francisco is the third-largest in the state’s history, the BBC reported.

Video tweeted by the Governor showed burnt tree stumps against the reddened fumes-filled sky and plumes of white smoke rising from the ash-laden ground.

 

Although California is used to wildfire, Newsom called the fires, unlike anything the state had seen before.

“If you don’t believe in climate change, come to California,” the BBC quoted the Governor as saying.

An evacuation order on Saturday extended to thousands of people in the Bay Area near San Jose and warned others to be prepared to abandon their homes at short notice.

It is about 10 percent contained.

The largest wildfire called the L.N.U. Lightening complex, is in the prominent wine-growing areas of Napa and Sonoma north of San Francisco and is just 15 percent contained, CalFire said on Saturday.

Further south in Santa Cruz County, 115 homes have been destroyed and some residents evacuated.

California is also facing electricity shortages, which have caused rolling blackouts for thousands of customers.

Officials have appealed for residents to use less power or risk further cuts.

Satellite images show smoke blanketing nearly all of California, as well most of Nevada and southern Idaho.

Officials have advised people to remain indoors due to the poor air quality outside.

The largest fire recorded in the state was the Mendocino Complex blaze in 2018, according to Cal Fire.

Also Read: Trump wants Iran sanctions back

Also Read: Trump terms universal postal voting ‘Catastrophic’

Previous Story

UK’s chief medical adviser supports reopening schools

GENEVA, Aug. 14, 2018 (Xinhua) -- Director-General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus attends a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, Aug. 14, 2018. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Tuesday that he's even more worried about the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) after his recent visit to the country, mainly because of the intense security challenge in the virus-hit areas. (Xinhua/Xu Jinquan/IANS) by .
Next Story

‘Children Over 12 Should Wear Masks’

Latest from -Top News

Hurricane Melissa leaves Caribbean in chaos

Hurricane Melissa leaves a trail of destruction across the Caribbean, claiming lives, wiping out homes, crippling infrastructure and triggering urgent global relief efforts amid rising humanitarian needs…reports Asian Lite News The Caribbean

Sharjah sets sail for London

At World Travel Market (WTM) London 2025, Sharjah is set to highlight both its deep-rooted cultural identity and forward-looking tourism strategy, demonstrating the emirate’s growing influence in global travel and destination marketing…reports

DP World to pump $5bn into India

DP World’s $5bn pledge strengthens India’s maritime future, powering green shipping, ship-repair capacity, talent growth and next-gen freight tech while deepening the nation’s global trade role…reports Asian Lite News DP World has

UAE mega-aid ship docks in Egypt

The shipment, one of the largest single consignments dispatched as part of the UAE’s air and sea bridge, includes essential food items…reports Asian Lite News A UAE humanitarian vessel carrying more than

Arab bloc hails UAE’s efforts in Gaza

Arab Parliament lauds UAE’s major aid efforts in Gaza and urges unified global backing for reconstruction, Palestinian statehood and a lasting peace grounded in the Two-State framework…reports Asian Lite News The Speaker
Go toTop