Thousands at Risk as Destructive Wildfire Engulfs US State 

United States: The south Californian officials have been working since last Friday to curb a massive wildfire that destroyed multiple buildings and forced more than 10,000 people to evacuate. 

Details of the Incident 

The fire, which started on Wednesday morning in Ventura County, intensified on Thursday due to strong winds, rapidly spreading through the region. By Thursday, damage assessments from nine inspection teams revealed that at least 132 structures had been completely destroyed, with 88 others severely damaged. 

According to the latest report from California’s firefighting agency, Cal Fire, approximately 5% of the 20,485-acre blaze has been contained, USA Today reported. 

Fire’s Growing Impact 

Portions of the first fire that extended to the northern parts of the city of Santa Paula were established in varying steep topographical ranges, making it difficult for firefighters to extinguish the fire. 

Thursday night, the Santa Ana weakened, and even as onshore flow returned, some officers feared that the fire might extend north and east. 

By early Friday morning, more than 2400 personnel had been reported on Mountain Fire’s large containment plan that involved 378 fire engines, 14 helicopters, and 17 bulldozers, as per the Californian Fire Department or Cal Fire. 

Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff told at the press conference that ten people got burned in the fire, anyhow most of them – five of them – had inhaled a substantial quantity of smoke, and none of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening. 

Destruction and Displacement 

Among the injured was a firefighter, as reported by Cal Fire. Sheriff Fryhoff stated that 400 homes were evacuated on Thursday, while 250 residents chose to stay behind despite the mandatory evacuation order affecting eight areas and 12 zones across Ventura County. Another 800 homes were found to be vacant when first responders arrived. 

“The devastation is absolutely heartbreaking,” Sheriff Fryhoff commented. 

Government Response 

According to the Californian Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has signed an emergency proclamation on Thursday in Ventura County, has informed a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to “help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppress the fire,” USA Today reported. 

Newsom said at least 3,500 homes, structures, and businesses are at risk due to the wildfire. 

To combat the growing blaze, Newsom mobilized 48 firefighting units, nine helicopters, and over 100 personnel across 19 counties since Sunday. 

“This is a dangerous fire that’s spreading quickly and threatening lives. 

State resources have been mobilized to protect communities, and this federal support from the Biden-Harris Administration will give state and local firefighters the resources they need to save lives and property as they continue battling this aggressive fire,” Governor Newsom said.