California on fire

California Fires: 2 million without power, 180,000 evacuated, 93 mph winds

Tens of thousands ordered to flee as the Kincade Fire moved toward Healdsburg after growing to 30,000 acres overnight. The evacuation zone in Sonoma County expanded to the coast and parts of Santa Rosa, as 180,000 residents have been ordered to flee the area in the largest evacuation in its history. [Mercury News]

The Kincade Fire began in the mountains east of Healdsburg. It was pushed along by record-breaking winds last night and these seasonal "Devil Winds" are expected to continue.  



Approximate evacuation zone Sonoma Co..kmz (966 B)


In Southern California, the Tick Fire is consuming homes in the Santa Clarita area of San Bernadino Co. and thousands of residents are being evacuated. This CNN  video includes a map showing the scale of both regions and the weather conditions expected for the next few days. High winds, dry fuels...



Santa Clarita CA.kmz (837 B)

News today is that existing fires have increased in size and that new fires have started. Winds are still gusting at hurricane-strength (>74 mph) in the north and south of the state and terrain is steep in both regions. Evacuations and power shut-downs continue. There is no rain forecast through next week. The renowned Getty Museum of Art in Southern California is threatened, though museum officers say it "is fireproof" and the works of art are safe. 

Mindful of Southern California’s vulnerability to fires and earthquakes, architect Richard Meier designed the $1.3 billion center with an array of special features to protect a collection that includes paintings by Van Gogh, Rembrandt and Manet, ancient Greek statues and an expansive array of manuscripts.

Built in 1997 on a hilltop in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles, about 13 miles (21 km) west of downtown, the center describes itself on its website as a “marvel of anti-fire engineering.” [Source, see link above]

It is  believed that the Getty fire was started when a tree branch was blown onto a power line.

The Getty.kmz (717 B)