California: Thousands of people flee forest fires

Thousands of people are fleeing forest fires in southern California. The fierce winds fanned around 40 kilometers north of Los Angeles on Friday spread rapidly over an area of ​​30 square kilometers. Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, announced the emergency for the affected regions in the evening (local time). In this way, money and resources can be provided quickly.

According to authorities, more than 1,000 firefighters fought against the bushfire near the village of Sylmar - and the helpers made first progress. 13 percent of the fire could therefore be contained by the evening. 31 houses and buildings were damaged or burned down completely. A resident in the fire area had died of a heart attack, the fire department announced.

The threat situation is significant: Residents of more than 20,000 homes have been asked to leave the vulnerable areas quickly. In the communities on the edge of the San Fernando Valley, 100,000 people were affected. Several highways and roads were closed. A conflagration in the Sylmar area had destroyed nearly 500 houses in November 2008.

Also in the district Riverside, about 130 kilometers east of Los Angeles, raged a bushfire. Dozens of housing in a trailer park burned down there.

Dry forests - and the dreaded Santa Ana winds

The US weather agency warned of high fire danger in the coming days. The notorious dry-hot Santa Ana winds tightened the situation. Add to that the persistent summer temperatures, drought and withered vegetation, which is easily inflamed.

Because of the increased risk of fire, the US utility Pacific Gas & Electric (PG & E) in Northern California had turned off the electricity on a large scale. At times, more than 700,000 households and facilities were without electricity.

The developments evoke memories of the devastating fire in the northern Californian village of Paradise with 85 dead in the previous November. The fire at that time was said to have been triggered by faulty power lines. Strong wind, high temperatures and dried-up trees and shrubs contributed to the flames spreading extremely fast. It was the worst fire in the history of the West Coast State.