Firefighters Curb Southern California Blazes
Umer Jamshaid Published October 13, 2019 | 08:50 AM
Los Angeles, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Oct, 2019 ) :Wildfires raging across southern California abated on Saturday with evacuation orders lifted after 100,000 people were forced to flee their homes.
A fire that had burned rapidly through the San Fernando Valley in greater Los Angeles was the strongest of several across southern California.
By Saturday, it had consumed 8,000 acres (3,200 hectares) about 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of downtown Los Angeles, fire officials said, adding that the blaze was about 33 percent contained.
All residents were allowed to return to their homes on Saturday as cooler temperatures and lighter winds improved the outlook.
"We are prepared for any flare-ups as they occur," Los Angeles fire captain Branden Silverman told local media.
One man in his 50s died of a heart attack as he struggled to save his home, fire officials said.
- Highways closed - Part of Los Angeles County was blanketed with smoke from the fire, prompting an advisory from air quality officials about unhealthy conditions.
The fire broke out Thursday night and quickly grew out of control in the city of Sylmar, driven by low humidity and gusts known as the Santa Ana winds.
About 1,000 firefighters, backed by water-dropping helicopters and planes releasing fire retardants, fought the blaze that forced the shutdown of several major highways.
The metro line in the area was also closed as were schools and businesses.
Some 200 firefighters battled several other blazes in Riverside County, east of Los Angeles, including one that tore through a trailer park and was started by burning trash.
That blaze destroyed 76 homes and buildings and killed an 89-year-old woman who was unable to escape the flames.
Authorities ordered the evacuation of several hundred homes in the area.
The wildfires in the south of California erupted as the state's largest utility, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), implemented rolling power blackouts that affected some two million people in northern California.
The shutoffs were designed to reduce the threat of wildfire that can be sparked by lines downed in heavy winds.
Last November, PG&E's faulty power lines were determined to have sparked the deadliest wildfire in the state's modern history, which killed 86 and destroyed the town of Paradise.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Chaudhary Parvez Elahi shifted from Rawalpindi to Lahore
Pakistan, China agree to promote cooperation in areas of information, culture
USCIRF’s report as faulty, non-reflective of ground realities in Pakistan: FO
TECNO answers to his Fans!! Price Drop to 55K?
Edotco Delegation Visits PTA
Qatar’s MoS for Foreign Affairs arrives in Islamabad
Seven labourers from Punjab shot dead in Gwadar
Nation will never forget criminals of 9th May who attacked state for politics: P ..
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 9 May 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 09 May 2024
IHC adjourns PTI founder, Qureshi's appeal till Thursday
CDWP recommends 3 projects to ECNEC for approval
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Concerted efforts urged to ease traffic flow on city roads
4 days ago -
Land degradation: A threat to food security
4 days ago -
Revamping health sector, a gigantic task ahead
4 days ago -
American band promotes intercultural harmony thru music fusions
5 days ago -
Waste Management – A persistent challenge for MWMC
6 days ago -
Experts for ending child labour
8 days ago
-
Labour Day - A reminder for better facilities to workers
8 days ago -
Stage Drama Mohabati Manhoon presents in Arts council Larkana
11 days ago -
Wheat farmers in a fix on price, procurement mechanism
11 days ago -
Modern tools to help transform crime investigation procedures
11 days ago -
Sanam Marvi captivates audience with mesmerizing performance
12 days ago -
Modern Education Techniques: A pathway to achieve economic development
13 days ago