At least 41 structures destroyed in California's largest wildfire of 2022
Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 27 Jul, 2022 12:30 PM
Los Angeles, July 27 (IANS) At least 41 structures have been destroyed by the Oak Fire, now the largest wildfire this year in US western state of California, authorities said.
The fast-moving wildfire that began on Friday afternoon near the Yosemite National Park in central California's Mariposa County scorched 18,087 acre (73.2 square km) with 26 per cent containment as of Tuesday morning, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).
Around 1,440 structures are still under threat as nearly 3,000 firefighters, with aircraft support, are continuing their efforts against the massive wildfire, Xinhua news agency reported.
"Fire crews continue providing structure defense, extinguishing hot spots, and building and improving direct fire lines," said Cal Fire in an update on Tuesday.
"Persistent drought, critically dry fuel and tree mortality continue to contribute to the fire's spread. Humidity levels were slightly higher overnight as monsoonal moisture began to move in," the agency added.
The Oak Fire has forced thousands of local residents to evacuate. California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for Mariposa County on Saturday due to the effects of the explosive fire.
Another explosive wildfire, the Washburn Fire, has burned more than 4,875 acre (19.7 square km) to date with 87 per cent contained after nearly three weeks near the Yosemite National Park. The Washburn Fire has drawn national attention as firefighters are battling the blaze to protect some of the world's oldest and largest trees in the park.
Many of the largest wildfires, including the top five, in California's history have happened in the past few years amid severe drought.
"California continues to experience longer wildfire seasons as a direct result of climate change," said Cal Fire in its 2022 fire season outlook, noting that "continued dry conditions, with above normal temperatures through spring, will leave fuel moisture levels lower than normal, increasing the potential for wildland fire activity."
Wildfires have swallowed more than 53,000 acre (214.5 square km) so far this year in the state, according to data released by Cal Fire.
School districts nationwide puzzling over how to safely educate children during a pandemic have a more immediate challenge — getting 26 million bus-riding students there in the first place.
Some new details have emerged in Jeffrey Epstein's case that involve former US President Bill Clinton. According to testimony from an Espstein accuser the former American nation head was a guest at Jeffrey Epstein’s private Caribbean island.
The world’s biggest COVID-19 vaccine study got underway Monday with the first of 30,000 planned volunteers helping to test shots created by the U.S. government -- one of several candidates in the final stretch of the global vaccine race.
One of the great mysteries of the coronavirus is how quickly it rocketed around the world. It first flared in central China and, within three months, was on every continent but Antarctica, shutting down daily life for millions.
