CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES FORCE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TO EVACUATE
MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2019 AS OF 5:00 PM EST
Today is National First Responders Day. Hagerty would like to take a moment to thank all of the incredible first responders deployed across the state of California to battle these wildfires. Additionally, thank you to all first responders deployed across the nation to support Americans in their times of need.
Currently, there are 15 active wildfires moving across the state of California. The Getty Wildfire in Los Angeles ignited early this morning causing major traffic issues as it is traveling along the 405 highway. The most prominent fire is the Kincade fire, located north of Santa Rosa in Sonoma County. The Kincade fire has already burned approximately 66,000 acres of land, and responders have only 5% of the wildfire contained. Wildfires continue to spread rapidly due to the high winds moving across the state. In isolated areas, current wind speed has reached 80 miles per hour.
Horrible situation on #tigertail right now in #Brentwood – have counted 6 homes on fire and there’s likely more. The #GettyFire continued to burn out of control in the hills of Brentwood. Stay with @ABC7 for live coverage pic.twitter.com/u8IZM9eN1c
— Josh Haskell (@abc7JoshHaskell) October 28, 2019
Since the wildfires began on October 23, 2019, thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes (more information below). Residents of West Los Angeles evacuating today should be prepared for slow traffic along the 405 highway. Additionally, reports indicate that the Pacific Gas and Electric company has shut off power to over a million people in an effort to control the risk of expanding fires. Residents living in communities experiencing or threatened by wildfires should continue to monitor local news and heed the warnings of local authorities.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is urging citizens to be ready to evacuate. Individuals should heed the warnings of local authorities and remain safe as most of the fires have not been contained. The Hagerty Blog Team will continue providing information and updates on current events and disasters impacting the nation, visit Disaster Discourse for the latest information.
Evacuations and Emergency Declarations
The Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, has declared a State of Emergency amid the scale and magnitude of fires that are burning throughout California.
High Wind Warnings:
- Los Angeles County Mountains, excluding the Santa Monica Range
- Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area
Red Flag Warnings:
- Fort Tejon
- Tehachapi Area
- Los Angeles County Coast including Downtown Los Angeles
- Los Angeles County San Gabriel Valley
- Ventura County Coast
- Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area
Evacuation Orders:
- Kincade Fire – See Evacuation Zones
- Getty Fire – See Evacuation Zones
- Tick Fire
- Evacuation Orders have been lifted.
RELATED STORIES
- Remember, Ready.gov provides information on how to prepare for Wildfire and how to keep you and your family safe.
- The Los Angeles Times regularly updated tracking of California Wildfires: California Wildfires Map.
- The New York Times is providing updates of all major wildfires in California.
