In the extreme heat, the forest and bush fires in California have spread. More than 1,200 firefighters fight the flames.
Sacramento – Fires are eating their way through the country in California. According to official information, 98 square kilometers of forest have so far fallen victim to the flames in the US state. The fire brigade announced that they had not yet reached all regions, so the number could still increase. In the neighboring US state of Nevada, residents of several settlements on the California border have been called on to leave their homes. Fire departments are also fighting forest and bush fires in Oregon, Arizona and Idaho. A huge fire tornado * was filmed during the forest fires in California.
California – Fire water evaporates before it reaches the ground
The heat is currently hardly decreasing at night. More than 1,200 firefighters are trying to get the fire under control. Fire-fighting planes from the air support them in this. The air is so dry that some of the water thrown off evaporates before it reaches the ground, reports the news channel CBC.
Meteorologists expect extreme heat waves in the western United States
Extreme heat is expected again in the western US states. The National Weather Service issued appropriate warnings for more than 30 million people. In large parts of California and Nevada, the highest warning level applies: because of the persistent heat and the lack of cooling at night, not only the elderly or the sick, but the entire population are at risk. Extreme heat is also expected in Utah and Arizona.
In Death Valley, California, notorious for its incredible heat, temperatures could rise to more than 50 degrees Celsius. The highest temperature ever measured there was 56.7 degrees. This value will probably not be reached this time. It could also get particularly hot in Las Vegas and Sacramento. Only last week was there extreme heat in the northwestern United States and western Canada *. Temperatures of almost 50 degrees claimed hundreds of lives. In the small town of Lytton (Canada), record values of 49.6 degrees were measured. Then Lytton was run over by a roller of fire.
USA: Californians should save water
Due to increasing drought and rising temperatures, California Governor Gavin Newsom has called on residents of the most populous US state to save water. People should voluntarily consume 15 percent less water compared to last year, he said on Thursday (local time) at a press conference. The appeal is directed not only to the population in general, but also to industry and agriculture.
Citizens should take shorter showers, water the lawn less frequently and repair any leaks in pipes. It’s about “common sense,” stressed Newsom. At the same time, the Democratic politician announced that the drought emergency declared in April would be expanded by 9 more to 50 of California’s 58 districts. This corresponds to about 42 percent of the state’s population.
Precipitation and snow cover in the mountains, which usually fill the water reservoirs, are already at a critically low level. According to scientists, climate change is also exacerbating drought, heat and extreme weather conditions, which can contribute to more violent forest fires. (dpa / ml) * Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA
