This archive report was first published on 22 August 2020.
California Wildfires Force Thousands to Flee as Governor Seeks International Help ¶
Published on August 22, 2020
California's largest ever fires raged across the state, forcing tens of thousands from their homes as the governor called for international help to fight the blazes.
Over 12,000 lightning strikes hit California in 72 hours, sparking the fires that left thick smoke blanketing large areas of central and northern California.
California Governor Gavin Newsom described the situation as 'unprecedented', saying 'we simply haven't seen anything like this in many, many years.'
The two largest blazes, the SCU Lightening Complex and the LNU Lightening Complex, had burned a total of just under 600,000 acres and nearly 500 structures.
Wineries in the famed Napa and Sonoma regions, which are still reeling from blazes in recent years, are under threat by the SCU Complex, the 10th largest fire recorded.
Fire crews, surveillance equipment, and other firefighting hardware are coming to California from several states, including Oregon, New Mexico, and Texas, to fight the fires.
However, faced with the sheer scope of the disaster, Governor Newsom also asked for help from Canada and Australia, which he said have 'the world's best firefighters.'
Most of the fires are burning in unpopulated areas, and statewide have blazed through some 771,000 acres, an area the size of Rhode Island state.
Newsom also walked back criticism of President Donald Trump from Thursday, saying 'there is not one phone call I have made to the president where he hasn’t quickly responded, and almost in every instance has responded favorably.'
