They told you so: Property perishes as Wildfires Rip Through Southern California
A few days ago, authorities in California warned that winds gusting to 80 mph and drought conditions could cause wildfires north and east of Los Angeles.
Turns out the forecast was more correct than they could have imagined, because blazes have spread north and west of the city, and are increasing in size and, because of wind speeds, they are barely controllable.
READ MORE ABOUT CALIFORNIA’S WILDFIRE WOES
LA area’s Hot mess: Southern California set to sizzle as Wildfire Risk Soars to record high
California Fire Burns 45,000 Acres In 14 Hours
In Ventura County, one resident told The New York Times, “We figured we were trapped.” Even if the population in the areas escapes, hundreds of homes and businesses could be burned to the ground, causing tens of millions of dollars in damage. Over 100 structures are already destroyed or harmed.
A byproduct of the fires is thick smoke moving out to sea and and toward Los Angeles. The dangerous air quality will force people with preexisting conditions indoors — and healthy people may follow them if conditions worsen.
While the winds may not be an immediate result of climate change, the drought is. Even with rain in the last two years, the area is still in th midst of a 1,200-year drought and the results of the rain are overcome by rapid evaporation.
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