Raging wildfires injure 2 firefighters in California, force massive evacuations
Change language:
Fast-moving wildfires have left two U.S. firefighters critically injured and forced tens of thousands of residents in Orange County in Southern California to evacuate amid high winds on Monday.
One blaze dubbed “the Silverado Fire,” which started Friday morning in the area of Santiago Canyon Road and Silverado Canyon Road, has exploded to more than 7,200 acres (29 square km) in hours, according to the Orange County Fire Authority.
A total of 500 firefighters are battling on the scene amid erratic winds that can reach up to 96 km to 112 km per hour. Officials said that air support has been grounded due to high winds.
According to the Orange County Fire Authority, two firefighters, aged 26 and 31, were critically injured fighting the blaze at noon. Both have second and third degree burns and are currently intubated in the ICU.
At least 60,000 people have been evacuated, said Christina Shea, mayor of Irvine City, in a release.
“We are asking everyone to comply with the evacuation orders for their safety and the safety of our first-responders. The City of Irvine continues to open care and reception facilities for our displaced residents,” she noted.
Some roads and school campuses in the area were shut down due to the wildfire. Both Irvine Unified and Tustin Unified School District schools will be closed on Tuesday, according to the city’s mandatory evacuations.