As wildfires rage in California, governor declares statewide emergency
October 28, 2019Throughout the month of October, wildfires have raged in California, putting thousands of people and their homes at risk. On Sunday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a statewide emergency due to both the fires and the high winds in the area, which help the blazes spread rapidly. While Newsom’s official proclamation only came Sunday, for weeks now Californians have been facing down massive fires and the related consequences, like power outages and supply shortages.
There are several blazes threatening different parts of the state. In Southern California, the Tick Fire near Santa Clarita has burned more than 4,600 acres, per CBS News, and led to the evacuation of tens of thousands of people. Early Monday morning, the Getty Fire broke out in Los Angeles, threatening affluent neighborhoods where celebrities like NBA star LeBron James reside. That blaze is threatening 10,000 structures, the Los Angeles Times reported, and has attracted 500 firefighters in the fight to save homes.