Devastating fires charring California have claimed more lives than any fire in the state’s history, and the economic toll is predicted to climb to $85 billion.
At least 10 people have died and at least 1,500 homes, businesses and other structures have been destroyed as more than 14 fires ravaged eight counties throughout Northern California on Monday, authorities said.
The numerous hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, and other natural phenomena affecting the world today should serve as a reminder that people need to be prepared for the return of Jesus Christ, said evangelist Franklin Graham.
Wildfires barreled across the baking landscape of the western U.S. and Canada, destroying a smattering of homes, forcing thousands to flee and temporarily trapping children and counselors at a California campground.
It tore through canyons and flew over ridges in every direction with astonishing speed, sending flames 80 feet skyward and forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes.
California declared a state of emergency Tuesday after a wildfire near Los Angeles has burned more than 37,000 acres, and another in Big Sur has burned more than 23,000 acres, officials said.
Two wildfires that together burned 7 square miles and drove several hundred people from their homes in foothill suburbs of Los Angeles were growing fast and surging closer to each other.
Across the nation, there have been more than 26,000 wildfires since January, compared to 22,000 for all of 2013. So far this year, California has been scorched as a total of 3,300 wildfires have been reported so far — triple its average and there’s no let up in sight.
Fires in Russia have scorched forests contaminated with radiation from the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster in Ukraine, but it was unclear how dangerous the toxic smog might be according to Russian officials, Worthy News monitored on August 12.