So. Calif. Battles Wildfire Outbreak; Evacuations Force Thousands to Flee
Thousands of people are fleeing their homes in Southern California on Thursday as numerous wildfires have broken out.
"This is May, this is unbelievable. This is something we should see in October," said Carlsbad fire chief Michael Davies according to BBC News.
While there have been no fatalities reported yet, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. declared a state of emergency in the County of San Diego on Wednesday.
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"The circumstances of these wildfires, by reason of their magnitude, are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment and facilities of any single county, city and county, or city and require the combined forces of a mutual aid region or regions to combat," the governor's statement read.
CNN said at least nine wildfires have broken out around San Diego, threatening homes, universities, a military base and a nuclear power plant, covering over 9,000 acres.
Reuters added that a major fire in San Marcos prompted officials to issue evacuations for thousands of residents and students at California State University campus, which has over 9,000 students.
"The fire was right above campus. I could see it reaching over part of the hill, this really dark smoke. It was almost like an explosion," said 19-year-old Grant Rapoza.
Another major fire at Camp Pendleton Marine Base north of San Diego was said to have charred 6,000 acres by Wednesday evening, forcing military and naval weapons stations to evacuate.
The San Onofre nuclear power plant, which has been offline for two years because of a previous wildfire, was also placed under precautionary evacuation.
Firefighters were aided by cooling temperatures and calming winds overnight, and additional air tankers and firefighting helicopters are expected to join the effort on Thursday.
San Diego Gas and Electric said that over 2,300 customers could remain without service through Thursday evening.
"They are all concerning," Carlsbad Mayor Matt Hall said about the numerous wildfires. "In every one of them, there is property and homes involved. It is all a concern for us. They are all neighbors."
Officials have said that tinder dry conditions following many months of drought, along with high temperatures and winds have left a number of areas in the region highly combustible.
"The common theme statewide this year is unprecedented number of fires and fire activity across the state, in many cases two to three months earlier than normal," explained Ken Pimlott, director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
