Select date
California governor declares emergency as military helicopters rescue 200 people trapped by raging wildfires (VIDEOS, PHOTOS)
California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in five counties as fast-moving wildfires threaten more homes and lives after killing at least eight people and destroying over 3,000 structures across the state.
The emergency was announced in Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, San Bernardino and San Diego counties, according to a late Sunday declaration.
The move was prompted by a massive Creek Fire, which consumed over 18,000 hectares over the weekend, cutting off roads and forcing evacuations in Fresno. With some 15,000 firefighters battling the blaze it was still raging virtually uncontained by Sunday afternoon.
Over 200 people were completely cut off from evacuation routes and had to be airlifted to safety by a California national guard helicopter. Twenty of them suffered injuries and were taken to hospitals.
Earlier today while covering the #ValleyFire I got caught right under this plane dropping fire deterrent over an area in the Japatul Valley. My car was drenched in that pink sticky liquid, but I got some pretty cool video in exchange! pic.twitter.com/hbaM1Srp5e
— Amber Frias (@amberfriastv) September 7, 2020
Besides the Creek Fire, at least two major blazes are raging across the state amid an unprecedented heat wave, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!
