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HELL ON EARTH: California is seeing the worst wildfire season in history

2017 December 7, 2017
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This year will be California’s worst wildfire season on record.

So far, 40 people have died, close to 10 million acres have turned to ash, and thousands of homes and businesses have burned to the ground.

Now, with parts of Southern California engulfed in flames, we can only expect the numbers to rise.

There are currently five active fires that are eating up acres of land like it is going out of style in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The three largest are still less than 15 percent contained.

The #CreekFire in LA County has now consumed 12,605 acres and is 10% contained…

The #RyeFire just west of Valencia has now burned 7,000 acres and is 15% contained…

The #ThomasFire in Ventura County has now consumed 96,000 acres and is only 5% contained…

A man risked his life to save a wild rabbit as it got dangerously close to flames from the #ThomasFire along Highway 1 in La Conchita. The daring rescue was captured by a news photographer who happened upon the scene Wednesday night. The man, who did not want to be interviewed, pulled over and was panicking as the rabbit he chased hopped right near large flames. Searching for the rabbit, the man began jumping up and down with anxiety until the rabbit reappeared and ran from the flames. The man quickly knelt down, stopped the rabbit in its tracks, and gently picked it up. The Thomas Fire, which started Monday and exploded to more than 96,000 acres by Wednesday, continues to threaten communities from Santa Paula all the way to La Conchita.

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The #SkirballFire has consumed 475 acres, four homes in Bel-Air, shut down UCLA, and threatens the Getty Center

#BREAKINGNEWS The #SkirballFire charred 475 acres in the Sepulveda Pass area near the Getty Center, destroying at least four homes and damaging 11 other structures. As of 3:15pm, the fire was 5% contained. The #SkirballFire erupted Wednesday morning in the Sepulveda Pass area of L.A., prompting mandatory evacuation orders. At least four houses were destroyed near Moraga Drive and Casiano Road. More than 350 firefighters from 52 engine companies were deployed to the scene, supported by helicopters that were making water drops. … As the blaze lit up the roadside near the 405 Freeway, our Eyewitnesses were left in awe at how close they were. Swipe left/right for videos from Eyewitnesses Andrew Mutzabaugh/Twitter @torressports @fishbone_777 @jeramylewisofficialand @richardsmx211. Continuing live coverage from Eyewitness News on ABC7 and abc7.com/live. Share your photos and videos, shot from a safe distance, with #abc7eyewitness.

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California’s wildfire season normally peaks in October. So, why are we still seeing flames in December? Aggressive winds, bone-dry vegetation, and a lack of rain have turned these fires into an uncontrollable force.

The wind is a common factor in spreading the fires but because of climate change, unusual dry weather during this time of year has elongated the wildfire season.

In an NYT interview, Thomas Rolinski, a senior meteorologist with the United States Forest Service, said,

“What’s unusual is the fact that fuels are so dry… Normally by this time of year, we would have had enough rainfall to where this wouldn’t be an issue.”

In a recent study by scientists led by Ivana Cvijanovic at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, the research found that,

“Sea-ice loss of the magnitude expected in the next decades could substantially impact California’s precipitation, thus highlighting another mechanism by which human-caused climate change could exacerbate future California droughts.”

Everything is so DRY

We are praying for the 200,000 people in the Los Angeles and Ventura areas that had to evacuate.

As you know many celebrities had to leave their homes as well, as the unforgiving wildfire flames threaten the land around them.

Rapper KYLE! lost his childhood home to the flames.

Chrissy Teigen let us know that she and her family are fine after having to evacuate.

Chelsea Handler feels like there are more dark times ahead as she evacuated her home.

To all the people that have lost family members and their homes, you are in our hearts.

And to all of the firefighters thank you so much for your time and dedication, all of America is thinking of you.

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