California fire nears record

3

Beyond a perfect storm': Wind-driven California fire nears record

John Bacon and Cheri Carlson, USA TODAY Published 1:42 p.m. ET Dec. 17, 2017 | Updated 4:16 p.m. ET Dec. 17, 2017

(Photo: Mike Eliason, AP)

VENTURA, Calif. — Dozens of helicopters and thousands of firefighters stepped up their assault Sunday on a wildfire roaring near Los Angeles that has driven tens of thousands of people from their homes and threatens to become the largest blaze in state history.

The Thomas Fire, which began Dec. 4, is only 40% contained and may not be fully contained until next month, officials said. 

"Critical fire weather combined with ... single-digit relative humidities will continue to support fire growth," the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) ominously warned.

Firefighters furiously digging containment lines to protect exposed communities drew a modest reprieve when early morning wind gusts eased later in the day. 

Two people have died, including firefighter Cory Iverson, and 1,000 homes have been destroyed or damaged as the blaze sweeps through more than 420 square miles. That's about 6 square miles less than the largest California wildfire on record — the Cedar Fire, which killed 15 people near San Diego 14 years ago.

Almost 100,000 people have evacuated or were ordered to do so in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties west of Los Angeles as the Thomas Fire grows. Ventura County Fire Chief Mark Lorenzen said the fire has been fueled by conditions "beyond a perfect storm."

More: Ferocious California wildfire grows more erratic, dangerous as winds pick up

More: Shelters swell with more than 1,000 animals displaced by wildfire

More: Gov. Brown declares state of emergency as thousands flee California wildfire

From the start, fierce Santa Ana winds gusting up to 60 mph drove the flames through a carpet of dry, drought-stressed chaparral unburned for decades. Lorenzen said the wind blew embers so thickly that 100-foot buffers between homes and brush weren't enough protection from the blaze. It was “like a billion fireflies out there,” he said.

All the numbers are staggering. More than 8,500 firefighters, almost 1,000 fire engines and 34 helicopters are combating the blaze. CalFire estimates damages at more than $116 million and rising. And 18,000 more homes are considered threatened.

Iverson, 32, died Thursday of smoke inhalation and burns, the medical examiner's office said. A procession formed Sunday when his body was transported to a funeral home. A GoFundMe site to help his wife and daughter had drawn more than $360,000 in pledges Sunday.

Virginia Pesola, 70, was found dead in car crash on an evacuation route, said Christopher Young, the Ventura County chief medical examiner.

Evacuees include scores of celebrities fleeing mansions devoured or threatened by the blaze. Current or recent local homeowners include Oprah Winfrey, Drew Barrymore, Jeff Bridges, Rob Lowe, Malcolm McDowell, Al Gore, Megyn Price, Eric Schmidt, Jane Seymour and Patrick Stewart.

Ellen DeGeneres said her home was undamaged but vulnerable. She was among many celebrities publicly lauding the efforts of firefighters.

"Firefighter Cory Iverson lost his life in this disaster, leaving behind his pregnant wife, Ashley, and their two year old daughter," she tweeted. "I can’t imagine your loss. I’m sending you all so much love."

Singer-songwriter Katy Perry said her mother had to evacuate her home Saturday — her 70th birthday.

"A big thank you to all the firefighters & first responders from all the surrounding areas that have come out to fight these #thomasfire flames," Perry tweeted.

The fire started less than two months after a series of wildfires roared through Northern California's wine country, killing more than 40 people and incinerating thousands of homes.

California's fire season was until recently viewed as starting in April and running through October. Now year-round fire issues have become the "new normal," said state Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson, D-Santa Barbara.

“These fires are very complicated and very dangerous, and Mother Nature does not share her playbook with us,” she said.

Bacon reported from McLean, Va. Contributing: Kathleen Wilson, Ventura County (Calif.) Star

Betty MacDonald, a very special politician and a year ago 

Many ESC fans from all over the world are so very sad because we lost Joy Fleming - one of the best singers ever. 


Betty MacDonald fan club founder Wolfgang Hampel sings  'Try to remember' especially for Betty MacDonald fan club organizer Linde Lund at Vita Magica September

you can join 

Betty MacDonald fan club

Betty MacDonald Society  

Vita Magica  

Eurovision Song Contest Fan Club 

on Facebook

Vita Magica Betty MacDonald event with Wolfgang Hampel, Thomas Bödigheimer and Friedrich von Hoheneichen

Vita Magica 

Betty MacDonald 

Betty MacDonald fan club 

Betty MacDonald fan club on Facebook

Betty MacDonald forum  

Wolfgang Hampel - Wikipedia ( English ) 

Wolfgang Hampel - Wikipedia ( English ) - The Egg and I 

Wolfgang Hampel - Wikipedia ( Polski)   

Wolfgang Hampel - Wikipedia ( German )

Wolfgang Hampel - LinkFang ( German ) 

Wolfgang Hampel - Academic ( German )

Wolfgang Hampel -  cyclopaedia.net ( German ) 

Wolfgang Hampel - DBpedia  ( English / German )

Wolfgang Hampel - people check ( English ) 

Wolfgang Hampel - Memim ( English )

Vashon Island - Wikipedia ( German )

Wolfgang Hampel - Monica Sone - Wikipedia ( English )

Wolfgang Hampel - Ma and Pa Kettle - Wikipedia ( English )

Wolfgang Hampel - Ma and Pa Kettle - Wikipedia ( French ) 

Wolfgang Hampel - Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle - Wikipedia ( English)

Wolfgang Hampel in Florida State University 

Betty MacDonald fan club founder Wolfgang Hampel 

Betty MacDonald fan club interviews on CD/DVD

Betty MacDonald fan club items 

Betty MacDonald fan club items  - comments

Betty MacDonald fan club - The Stove and I  
 
Betty MacDonald fan club groups 

Betty MacDonald fan club organizer Linde Lund