This archive report was first published on 3 November 2019.
California is bracing for more wildfires as the state struggles to contain the latest major blaze, the Maria Fire, which broke out in Ventura County on Thursday.
By Saturday evening, the fire had spread to 9,412 acres, but firefighters were able to contain 30% of the blaze despite challenges posed by drone activity.
Fire officials grounded firefighting helicopters overnight after spotting at least two hobby drones in the area, citing the risk of collision.
"Even a tiny drone can cause a serious or fatal accident if it collides with firefighting aircraft," the Ventura County Fire Department warned on Twitter.
Meanwhile, the Kincade Fire in Sonoma County, north of San Francisco, continued to burn over 77,758 acres on Saturday evening, with 74% containment.
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared an emergency across the state, citing months of drought and the threat of strong winds.
As the state struggles to contain the blazes, Pacific Gas & Electric has been shutting off power to millions of customers in northern and central California, reducing fire risks but sparking public outrage.
Despite the challenges, authorities have credited repeated warnings, precautionary power shut-offs, and improved weather-prediction capabilities for preventing fatalities in the past two weeks.
