The number of victims of wildfires raging around Los Angeles rose to at least five on Thursday night. At the same time, it is expected that this number will increase, the local police said. TASR reports according to AP and AFP agencies.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna he recalled that the authorities previously spoke of two victims, but currently they are already registering at least five. “However, let’s remember that this is still a very volatile situation and the fire is still not at all under control. I really pray that we don’t find more (victims), but I don’t think we will.” he added.
Authorities in the area ordered a mandatory evacuation affecting more than 80,000 people. More than 400,000 people are without electricity. Fires in California were caused by a combination of drought and strong winds, reaching a speed of 120 kilometers per hour. The latter contributes to the spread of fire in city streets. Wind gusts will peak Thursday night local time, according to Governor Gavin Newsom.
Meteorological services have been predicting the risk of forest fires in California for several days. This is a situation that is surprising in the middle of winter, and made worse by the seasonal Santa Ana winds. It is a hot and dry wind that usually appears in autumn and winter. This year, it started blowing on Tuesday and contributed to the spread of the forest fire in an area that is also relatively dry.
Santa Ana wind power is exceptional this year: with maximums between 120 and 160 km/h, measured on high ground, this year’s occurrence could be recorded as the strongest in more than ten years.
