California wildfires reach epic magnitude
Story By: Bea Karnes
Source: AP
Clouds of black smoke from Northern California's more than 1,400 wildfires choke the air that millions of people breathe. In the Sierra foothills, flames have forced the evacuation of the tiny Gold Rush community of Washington. Along the Pacific, firefighters are hoping coastal fog will help them gain ground against a blaze abutting the town of Big Sur.
Most of the fires burning are believed to be lightning-caused. The bolts hit grass, brush and trees dried from years of drought. The U.S. Forest Service is expecting a long, fiery summer. NASA's helping out by mapping the fires, pointing out new blazes to fire bosses.
U.S. Northern Command continues to contribute equipment and manpower to the effort:
- Two additional Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) capable aircraft from the 153rd Air Wing, Wyoming National Guard are deploying to McClellan Air Park.
- Four U.S. Marine Corps CH-46 heavy-lift helicopters with BAMBI bucket firefighting capabilities from 3rd Marine Air Wing stationed at Naval Air Station San Diego, staged out of Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
- Four MAFFS-capable aircraft, C-130 H3s, two from U.S. Air Force Reserve Command out of Colorado, and two from the 145th Air Wing, North Carolina National Guard.
- FEMA Region IX Defence Coordinating Offier (DCO) and Defense Coordinating Element (DCE) for Region IX deployed to FEMA Region IX’s Regional Response Coordination Center.
- FEMA Region X DCO and DCE deployed to the NIFC in Boise, Idaho.
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