US: SCU Lightning Complex fires prompts evacuations in California’s Contra Costa, and other counties August 19

Event

The ongoing SCU Lightning Complex fires in California have prompted authorities to issue mandatory evacuation orders for multiple areas in Contra Costa, Santa Clara, Alameda, Stanislaus, and San Joaquin counties on Wednesday, August 19, as the wildfires burn across some 85,000 acres (133 square miles). Two firefighters have reportedly been injured and thousands have been forced to flee. As of Wednesday afternoon, the SCU Lightning Complex fires were only five percent contained.

Cal Fire has stated that over 550 firefighters are currently engaged in fighting the complex of 20 separate blazes spread across three fire zones; the Canyon Zone, the Calaveras Zone, and the Deer Zone.

Further spread of the fires 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