California firefighters are battling wildfires. The biggest of them – the mountain fire has already consumed more than eight thousand hectares of land. In Ventura County, some residents have returned home. More than 130 buildings were completely destroyed.
A fire broke out in Ventura County, California, in the west of the United States on Wednesday for unknown reasons. The fire, called “Mountain Fire”, spread rapidly due to strong winds. Firefighters managed to make progress: the covered area increased from seven percent to 14 percent.
Firefighters hope to be able to slow the spread of the fire once the wind dies down. So far, this element has swallowed more than 8000 hectares of land and destroyed about 130 buildings. Local authorities decided to evacuate more than 10,000 residents.
On Friday, Ventura County Sheriff Jim Freehoff said residents of 3,500 homes had been allowed to return home, but another 2,000 homes were still under evacuation orders.
“Suddenly the smoke became very thick”
The destructive power of the fire was felt by many people who lost all their possessions in the natural disaster. Some miraculously managed to avoid death.
– Suddenly, the smoke became very thick and shiny pieces were falling around (…). It was hot, very hot, about 65 degrees. “I got the keys to the truck,” described Dennis Gottlieb, a Ventura County resident who fled his property with his wife. When he returned to the site on Thursday, he saw the fire raging.
– Everything was lost and burned, – he added.
Firefighters in California reported that more than 2,400 people, including 14 helicopters, participated in the fight against the mountain fire.
Fires in California PAP/EPA/ALLISON NINNER
Wildfires in New Jersey
Fires are also burning across the United States. According to the Reuters news agency, after one of the driest months on record, fires broke out in several counties in southern and central New Jersey in the eastern United States. The National Weather Service issued a gusty wind warning for the area, which could make conditions worse.
New York authorities issued a smoke warning for residents.
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/Allison DINNER
