SANTA ROSA: Wildfires at northern California destroyed at least 8400 homes and other buildings as authorities revealed significant property loss. Efforts continue by firefighters to gain control of the fires and by searchers looking for more victims. Estimated death toll at 42 has made the fire series the deadliest in California history. Officials said 5000 firefighters remain on the lines, and battle 10 different fires across the region. Approximately 100,000 people were displaced by the event.
The fires swept through California's wine country, burning over 190,000 acres of land and leaving thousands of people homeless. Initial strong winds hampered safety efforts of over 8000 firefighters who battled 20 blazes. California fire chief Ken Pimlott said, “What this means is that our fires will continue to burn erratically. We are a long way from being done with this catastrophe.” Red flag warnings have been posted all the way from Santa Barbara to San Diego, an indication that weather conditions are ideal for the spread of wildfires. Weather service issued an excessive heat warning, saying people should limit strenuous outdoor activity.
The damage has been estimated at over $1.2 billion. Secretary for the rector of St Eugene's Cathedral in the Diocese of Santa Rosa, McCall said she has been living with several other families on the cathedral grounds while her family puts their life back together. She praised her pastor, Father Frank Epperson and the Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa for their ministry in the crisis. A parish hall was opened for several days as a temporary shelter and evacuees were served meals by the parish.
Santa Anas, one of the nation's most notorious wind events, can spread destructive fires, take roofs off of houses and uproot trees in Southern California. “Nowhere else do such winds impact so many people with so much force and possess such extensive opportunity for damage and destruction,” the weather service said. The National Weather Service warned, “The duration, strength and widespread nature of this Santa Anas wind event combined with extreme heat will bring dangerous fire weather conditions to Southwest California through Tuesday.”
