Record-breaking wildfires in California overwhelm firefighters, force evacuations: “I thought I was going to die”

Wildfires raged unchecked across parts of the Western U.S. on Wednesday amid gusty and dry conditions. In California, where firefighters who have been overwhelmed by the blazes, winds stoked unprecedented numbers of fires that have forced rescues and evacuations. CBS San Francisco reports a wall of flames from the Bear Fire roared along Highway 162 early Wednesday, setting homes ablaze in Bear Creek and along Bald Creek Road. The fire forced residents to frantically escape with only the clothes on their backs and a few cherished belongings in the predawn darkness. A new wildfire — the Willow Fire — erupted overnight off Neptune Lane and Willow Glen Road, North of Smartville in Yuba County, and had grown 300 acres in the early morning hours. #WillowFire Marysville Rd and Willow Glen Rd in Loma Rica (Yuba County). Yuba County Sheriff reports 3000 residents evacuated in Loma Rica. Current closures include Marysville & Willow Glen, Fruitland & Honcut, Fruitland & Loma Rica, Peoria & Dolan Harding. Fire at 300 acres. pic.twitter.com/3GnV9qypAm — CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit (@CALFIRENEU) September 9, 2020 In Washington, more acres burned in a single day than firefighters usually see all year. Fires also forced people to flee […]

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