CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES

High winds threaten to revive deadly blazes

London: California's fire protection chief has warned that devastating wildfires could worsen again over the weekend due to dry air and strengthening winds, reports BBC.

Ken Pimlott said several thousand extra firefighters deployed on Friday were fighting 17 separate blazes.

Northern California is suffering the most lethal outbreak of wildfires in the state's history, with 35 people dead and more than 90,000 evacuated.

The blazes have raged since Sunday, destroying an estimated 5,700 homes.

Firefighters had made some headway on Friday, clearing dry vegetation and other combustible fuels around populated areas on the fires' southern flank.

But high temperatures and strong winds were forecast to return on Saturday, with gusts of up to 55 mph (90 kph) and 10% humidity.

"If new fires start they could spread extremely rapidly," warned Brooke Bingaman, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Sacramento, California.

 

CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES

High winds threaten to revive deadly blazes

London: Californias fire protection chief has warned that devastating wildfires could worsen again over the weekend due to dry air and strengthening winds, reports BBC. Ken Pimlott said several thousand extra firefighters deployed on Friday were fighting 17 separate blazes. Northern California is suffering the most lethal outbreak of wildfires in the states history, with 35 people dead and more than 90,000 evacuated. The blazes have raged since Sunday, destroying an estimated 5,700 homes. Firefighters had made some headway on Friday, clearing dry vegetation and other combustible fuels around populated areas on the fires southern flank. But high temperatures and strong winds were forecast to return on Saturday, with gusts of up to 55 mph (90 kph) and 10% humidity. If new fires start they could spread extremely rapidly, warned Brooke Bingaman, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Sacramento, California.