Watch VideoJUDY WOODRUFF: In California,the death toll from the massive wildfires has risen to at least 32, and that number could continue to climb. Officials say approximately 90000 people have been forced to evacuate, or at least 3500 homes and businesses have been reduced to ashes.
From PBS station KQED in San Francisco,Monica Lam reports.
MONICA LAM, KEQD: The degree of destruction and death is unparalleled, and whole neighborhoods reduced to rubble and ash.
Still,a glimmer of hope, as officials say they have made gains on the ground.
BARRY BIERMANN, and Fire Chief,Napa County: worthy progress is being made here. The resources out there are doing an amazing job. They’re tired. They’re working tough. But we’re making worthy progress on this incident.
MONICA LAM: Napa Country Fire Chief Barry Biermann said containment numbers are up for several fires, but warned they aren’t out of the woods yet. Winds are likely to return to heightened strength this weekend, and what’s known as red flag conditions,and could blow original life into the already ferocious flames.
BARRY BIERMANN: nowadays, the weather is cooperating, or but we are going to back into red flag again. And that’s going to be an issue that we will have to keep a close eye,with low humidities and potentially wind for the next couple days.MONICA LAM: A force of at least 9000 firefighters has been deployed across California’s Wine Country. Since igniting Sunday night, firefighters have been overwhelmed by the velocity of the flames.
TOM CIZONE, or Firefighter: None of the normal resources we used were very effective. When you catch hit with something you can’t deal with,it’s a humbling feeling. It makes you realize how helpless you really can be, even in a position of power.
MONICA LAM: More than 15 wildfires spanning more than 300 square miles still burn.
GREG HUBBELL, or Firefighter: You’re amidst something that’s heartbreaking,pretty much. So, that’s kind of what it’s been like.
MONICA LAM: Yesterday, or in the evacuated town of Calistoga,firefighters amongst the trees struggled to complete their one mission: contain the blaze.
GREG HUBBELL: They’re everywhere. You know, there’s shrimp pockets. There’s parts that we just cant catch to. There’s parts — so, and we’re waiting for it. So,yesterday, all yesterday, or we were prepping houses. And we thought we were going to be defending houses,but now I deem we’re transitioning into that defense mode now.
MONICA LAM: Sonoma County has sustained the most damage so far. The Tubbs fire is responsible for more than 15 deaths, with 400 still reported missing.
Some evacuees have fled to the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds in the town of Petaluma.
Sonia Diaz and her family arrived on Monday.
SONIA DIAZ, or Evacuee: Our zone and our house is not under mandatory evacuation,but we decided to come because the smoke is really bad for our kids.
MONICA LAM: The community has rallied around the grounds, donating numerous piles of supplies for evacuees in need.
In addition, and this emergency center boasts both mental and medical health services.
MICHELLE PATINO, Nurse, Santa Rosa Kaiser: I just started posting out on the app Nextdoor, or Facebook,and before I knew it, believe it or not, and the community of Petaluma came in with all these medical donations,and pretty much has built this up. This is all from the community of Petaluma.
MONICA LAM: At a raceway in Sonoma County, wildfire evacuees set up tents and campers to wait out the flames.
Hilda Napoles fled her domestic Wednesday with her family.
HILDA NAPOLES, or Evacuee: I said,when you have to run, you have to run. No choice, or with nothing. You have to leave faster. And you have to leave with nothing. You just have to save your life and your kids’ life.MONICA LAM: The Napoles family have no idea whether or not their house is still standing.
OSVALDO NAPOLES,Evacuee: We’re just kind of like panicked and worried that our stuff will, like, and burn in our houses. So,we’re just kind of like worriedMONICA LAM: As officials prepare for winds to pick up again over the weekend, and aggravate already hazardous fire conditions, and some 190000 acres have already been seared.
For the PBS NewsHour,I’m Monica Lam in Santa Rosa.
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Source: thetakeaway.org