Face of Nation : Three people have died and 100,000 residents have been displaced as a result of the eight wildfires spreading across California. One person died in the Saddleridge in the Los Angeles area. Two more people have died as a result of the Sandalwood Fire in the Calimesa area.
The Los Angeles Fire Department has advised residents to evacuate as the Saddleridge fire is raging across Northern L.A., fire officials in several counties have fought to contain numerous wildfires. The state in 2017 and 2018 experienced the deadliest and most destructive wildfires in its history, fueled by drought, an unprecedented buildup of dry vegetation and extreme winds, according to the California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection.
At a press conference on Friday, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore said more fire personnel are being assigned and officials will issue more evacuation orders, which he pleaded with residents to take heed of. “I ask the public to honor these mandatory evacuation zones,” Moore told residents. “Once they [residents] leave, they realize they can not come back until we reopen these areas and assure utilities are safe and that the region is secure.. so if you’ve left, which many have, I say thank you.”
Calfire currently lists eight active wildfires in California. While some wildfires — including the Wendy Fire and Wolf Fire — have caused little damage and are nearly fully contained, authorities have still warned residents to stay alert and in some instances suggested evacuations.
As of Saturday morning, Saddleridge is the largest of the wildfires currently burning in California. A Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman confirmed to TIME that a man who was treated for cardiac arrest and transported to the hospital by emergency officials died and 19 people have been treated for injuries in connection to the fire. The LAFD said Saturday morning that two fire fighters have suffered minor injuries. At least 25,000 homes have been evacuated, displacing at least 100,000 people, LAPD said. The Saddleridge Fire had also shut down the 210 freeway in both directions between the 5 and 118 freeways, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Seventy miles from Los Angeles, the Sandalwood Fire, which started in the city of Calimesa in Riverside County on Thursday afternoon has currently burned through 823 acres and is 25% contained as of Saturday afternoon. Calfire Peace Officers determined the cause of the fire to be a trash truck that dumped a load of burning trash which then spread into vegetation.
According to Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, at least two people have died. Per CalFire, the Sandalwood Fire has damaged 16 structures and destroyed 74.
The Briceburg Fire in Mariposa County is the longest burning and widest spreading wildfire and has been active for five days. It has burned through 5,190 acres and 49% contained as of Saturday afternoon. Only one structure has been listed as being destroyed and 1,418 fire personnel are assigned to tackle the blaze, Calfire said.
The Los Angeles Fire Department has ordered a mandatory evacuation of an estimated 12,700 homes in the L.A neighborhood of Porter Ranch and nearby O’Melveny Park. On Friday, mandatory evacuation areas south of the 118 Freeway were reopened at 5 p.m.
As of Saturday afternoon, the areas of west Mason Avenue and southwest of Corbin Avenue are able to be repopulated. Additional neighborhoods can also be repopulated, which are listed in green on LAPD’s color coded map.
Fire officials have also listed evacuation centers for people with pets, advising them to head to the Hansen Dam recreational center in Lake View Terrance. A full list of evacuation centers appears on the LAPD website.
