On the ground. Reporter strong winds and dry conditions are fuelling the raging wildfires in Southern California as officials continue to battle. 110,000 people evacuated from homes. Schools closed in at least 15 districts and thousands without power. Low humidity and strong gusts keeping firefighters on edge as they hope to contain a difficult series of fires. Topography, steep, hard to get members in there and hoses deployed. Reporter more evacuations in ojai valley. Thomas fire, 150 square miles. State of emergency under way. Urge caution even as threat starts to fade. Still ask folks to stay away from homes. Not completely out of the woods yet. Hope to let people back in as soon as possible. Reporter for residents, devastation of homes coupled with neighbors gone in a flash, almost too much to bear. Im numb. I dont know. Well get through it. It was very quaint, cozy neighborhood. And the house was just wonderful. I dont know whats going to happen. Reporter in Southern California, o
Two new fires sparked today in Southern California, making a total of six fires that have forced people to leave their homes. Newest is liberty fire, started this afternoon in Riverside County and already burned 300 acres. You can see the trees blowing in strong winds fanning these flames so ferociously. Hours earlier lilac fire exploded, at least 20 structures destroyed before this neighborhood burned to ground. Last check, 2,500 acres and growing rapidly. Gained most ground on the smallest skirball fire near belair. 20 condetained. Rye fire is 7,000 acres. Thomas fire in Ventura County, almost 100,000 acres and destroyed 150 buildings. Creek fire, burned down five homes and ten other buildings, including this barn with 40 horses trapped, just six survived. Omar shows us what its like on the ground. Reporter strong winds and dry conditions are fuelling the raging wildfires in Southern California as officials continue to battle. 110,000 people evacuated from homes. Schools closed in at
Cause issues. My 12hour planner, high clouds and sunshine, 60 to 65 at noon. Cooler at 4 00. 60 to 62. And a great evening for shopping, 50 to 5 or wherever your activities take you outside. Sue says she has an update on an accident. I do. The bay bridge behind your graphics, the taillights. Well check back. Slowing up and over the Altamont Pass typical. We were hoping for friday light. So far so good. Well check it out. Southbound 101, this is blocking the left lane. Two vehicles involved. One facing the wrong way. Its early enough im not seeing any red sensors there. This is the el camino. The red sensors on 82. Not affecting 101 as of yet. Well check back in a couple minutes. Sue, thank you. Firefighters are facing another difficult day in Southern California. There are six explosive wildfires burning out of control now. The largest of the fires, the 115,000 acre thomas fire is burning in ventura and Santa Barbara counties. The fire just 5 contained this morning and flames crackled
Temporarily close all lanes. Thats recovering now. Still not a bad drive as we zoom out. A few stretches and once you get to the east shore freeway to berkeley things do pick up. Improvement. Well check back. Firefighters are facing another difficult day in Southern California with six explosive wildfires burning out of control. A live look at one of the largest of the fires. This is the 115,000acre thomas fire burning in ventura and Santa Barbara counties. That fire just 5 contained. Flames crackled off highway 101 in Santa Barbara county. Ash fell from the sky blanketing streets and cars. It prompted some homeowners to douse their homes with water in case embers started to fall. Its scary, emotion al and i all surreal. When it happens it gets into the emotional state where youre thinking this could be the last time you see everything that you have. Firefighters had their hands full with the lilac fire, burned 4,100 acres, zero percent containment. The fires may be far to our south bu
Two new blazes that fired up thursday. One is known as the lilac fire, which is about 45 miles north of san diego. Sot nick schuler, Cal Fire Division chiefpeople who have not been currently impacted the fire. They need to prepare as if they are going to be impacted by the fire. Where are they gonna go. . What are their escape routes . What is their communication with their family . What are they going to do with their pets . And do they have their vehicles loaded to go. Meanwhile firefighters battling the fast moving flames across ventura and Los Angeles County are taking a beating,as they work around the clock to contain a series of difficult fires. Sot i use to be a firefighter and fires like this, wildfires, are just absolutely scary. You just dont know whats going to happen, they change on a whim, Mother Nature is powerful. robin thanks kristen. The smoke from the fires the smoke from the fires could be affecting the bay area today. Now lets move on this morning with a check on we