California Wildfires Get Worse

Kevork Djansezian/Associated Press

October 22, 2007 – Hundreds of California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) Local 2881 fire fighters are battling at least 17 wildfires across the state, including Malibu, Santa Clarita and two rural communities east of San Diego.

The fires worsened Monday when several new fires -- fueled by strong Santa Ana winds and drought-parched land from the high desert to the Pacific Ocean -- added to the 40,000 acres, or 62 square miles.

Bob Wolf, president of CDF Local 2881, says, “Every available fire fighter is working to get these fires under control. But, with hurricane-force winds and overburdened resources, some of these fires are getting bigger, not smaller. It is very dangerous out there right now.”

Complicating fire suppression is that many residents have ignored evacuation orders. State fire officials report that many fire fighters are too busy taking people to safety to fight the fires.

Four Local 2881 fire fighter injuries have been reported. The four, whose names have not yet been released, received burn injuries yesterday as they fought a 1,400-acre blaze in San Diego County near the California-Mexico border. Three are in serious condition and the fourth fire fighter's condition is unknown. In that same incident, the wildfire's only citizen death was reported.

Also in San Diego County, a fire near Witch Creek had burned 5,000 acres as of last night and was considered zero percent contained. The fire has forced the evacuation of the 36,000 residents in the nearby Ramona community, which has already reported several burned structures.

Meanwhile, in Malibu, hundreds of fire fighters are working to save as much land and property as they can. Already, the fire has destroyed a church and several homes. At least 1,500 residents have been evacuated. State fire officials are reporting zero percent containment of this fire as well.

In Santa Clarita, fire has spread over more than 12,500 acres, destroying several buildings and threatening nearly 4,000 homes.

More than 1,500 acres have also been destroyed in the Townsend Peak area of California’s Angeles National forest located in the northern area of Los Angeles County. As this blaze spreads, it threatens an endangered condor habitat.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency in seven counties: Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura.