Wildfire in California displaces 30,000
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Image: Antandrus.
The recent Jesusita Fire in Santa Barbara County, California, has burned more than 8,600 acres of land over the last four days. Over 75 homes were destroyed, and more than 30,500 residents were evacuated. Another 23,000 are on standby to leave immediately when the notice comes down.
Approximately 3,500 homes along with 100 businesses are currently threatened by the blaze.
"Right now, if you are not evacuated in the Santa Barbara area, you are sheltering evacuees," said city Fire Chief Andrew DiMizio, "We saw the fire spread laterally across the top of the city and the fire front extend to almost eight kilometers now."
The firefighting crew on guard against the fire has amassed 2,300 firefighters with 246 fire engines, fourteen air tankers, fifteen helicopters as well as a DC-10 jumbo jet tanker.
There have been no reports of residents being injured, however 11 firefighters have sustained injuries battling the fire, placing three in the hospital.
Image: Edward Vielmetti.
Related news
- "Over 13,500 evacuated after wildfire in California" — Wikinews, May 8, 2009
- "Los Angeles wildfires are nearly contained" — Wikinews, November 20, 2008
Sources
- Raquel Maria Dillon. "More than 30,000 ordered to flee Calif. wildfire" — Associated Press, May 9, 2009
- "30,000 flee California bushfires" — Reuters via ABC net, May 9, 2009
- Lucy Nicholson. "Fierce California wildfire burns into fourth night" — Reuters via Alert News, May 9, 2009
- Solomon Moore. "Crews Gain Upper Hand on Santa Barbara Fire" — The New York Times, May 9, 2009
