A fire on the western edge of Los Angeles, which has displaced thousands of residents, has been triggered by sparks from a power line, according to the authorities. The mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti announced the likely cause of the so-called Getty fire.
Thus, strong wind had broken a branch off a tree that hit a power line. Sparks should then have set dry bushes in flames.
The fire that broke out on the night of Monday near the world-famous Getty art museum quickly spread. It temporarily threatened around 10,000 buildings. Thousands of people had to vacate their homes, including actor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Twelve buildings burned down.
In California, several forest and bush fires are raging. Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency for the entire state.
"Extreme fire risk"
Thousands of firefighters work around the clock, tens of thousands of residents have fled their homes, hundreds of thousands have no electricity - but things could get worse: meteorologists warned of wind in hurricane strength for the night of Wednesday (local time). This could rekindle the existing embers and spread the fires further. In the districts of Los Angeles and Ventura, gusts at speeds of up to 130 kilometers per hour are to be expected in severe droughts, according to the weather service. There is an "extreme fire risk".
"It only takes a piece of smoldering coal, a single one to ignite a new bushfire," warned the Los Angeles Fire Chief, Ralph Terrazas. Embers can be carried by the wind for miles.
Mayor Garcetti said residents would have to prepare for "the worst winds of the year". The fire department has already deployed resources and personnel to key potential fires because of the so-called Santa Ana winds in key locations, he said. "We are ready to fight on more than one front."
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Forest Fires in California: Fighting the FlamesIn the meantime, more than 4,000 firefighters are deployed to fight the biggest fire, the "Kincade" fire in the Sonoma County wine growing area north of San Francisco, according to the authorities. Firefighters and firefighters from twelve US states rushed to help the local forces.
The flames raging there for days and spread to date according to authorities on an area of more than 300 square kilometers - which corresponds approximately to the surface of the city of Munich. The fire is currently 15 percent under control, but there are also threatening strong gusts of wind, which could rekindle the fire.
Because of the extreme risk of fire, utilities in parts of the state have shut down hundreds of thousands of people as a precautionary measure. On Tuesday, about 430,000 households were affected, as Governor Newsom announced.
Fires at this time of year are not uncommon in California, because the Santa Ana winds blow especially strong then. Add to that the years of drought and high temperatures - a mix that promotes the spread of flames.