19 Aug 2020 | 05:31 AM UTC
US: State of Emergency declared amid California wildfires August 18 /update 3
Authorities declare state of emergency amid dozens of wildfires in California August 18
Event
California's Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, August 18, due to the ongoing wildfires across the state. Dozens of wildfires continue to burn across the state including in Sonoma, San Mateo, Napa, Butte, Nevada, and Monterey counties. The state of emergency was announced following evacuations in Napa county. Several of the fires had been sparked by lightning strikes as a result of thunderstorms prompted by a heatwave.
The Bay Area counties currently has one of the largest wildfires in the state, known as the SCU Lightning Complex Fire, and has consumed more than 25,000 acres (101 sq km) and is at zero percent containment.
Further spread of the fire is possible in the near term. An emergency response presence and localized transportation disruptions, namely road closures, should be anticipated in the affected areas.
Advice
Those in the vicinity of the fires are advised to monitor the situation, avoid the area, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.
