So. Calif. Wildfires Cause $20M Damage So Far; 'Firenadoes' Threaten San Diego Area
As people in Southern California continue evacuating from wildfire-scorched areas, authorities have said there are suspensions over how the fires got started. A badly burned body, the first reported casualty, was also found late Thursday in a San Diego suburb.
"We all have suspicions like the public does when we have nine fires that started all over the county," San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore said, according to ABC News. "We are actively investigating the start of those fires."
While dry conditions and high temperatures are said to have left the area prone to such natural disasters, officials will be looking into the possibility that some of the fires could have been started intentionally.
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San Diego declared a state of emergency on Wednesday, when at least nine wildfires broke out in the area, threatening homes, universities, a military base and a nuclear power plant, triggering evacuation orders for thousands of people.
Fox 5 reported that a badly burned body that is yet to be identified was found in an area frequented by transients in the San Diego suburb of Carlsbad.
"During a hot spot check, firefighters were alerted to a transient encampment in the area of Ambrosia and Calliandra," the city of Carlsbad said in a statement. "On checking the area, firefighters located a badly burned body. Further details about the deceased are unknown at this time and the investigation is ongoing."
So far, the fires have burned through more than 15 square miles, and have caused more than $20 million in damage.
CNN noted that on Friday morning, temperatures and winds across Southern California were starting to subside, giving firefighters the chance to make progress against several wildfires still threatening the region.
Evacuation orders remain in place for residents, however, as funnels of flames that look like tornadoes, dubbed "firenadoes," are threatening the San Diego area.
"It's scariest at the moment, with the fire now like 100 yards from the homes," said San Marcos resident Kevin Giesey. "I worry about the embers jumping into the grass next to the homes. It's frightening."
San Marcos Fire Chief Brett Van Wey said late on Thursday that since the "firenadoes" are a moving target, it is difficult to estimate their size.
"It's only about 5% contained, though," the fire chief added.
President Barack Obama has been informed about the wildfires, while a White House official told Fox that large air tankers and other federal resources are being deployed to help with the efforts.
"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," said Ken Pimlott, director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. added that climate change is a "factor" when it comes to such wildfires.
"The last three years have (been) the driest in California's recorded history," Brown said.
