At least 41 structures destroyed in California's largest wildfire of 2022
Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 27 Jul, 2022 12:30 PM
Los Angeles, July 27 (IANS) At least 41 structures have been destroyed by the Oak Fire, now the largest wildfire this year in US western state of California, authorities said.
The fast-moving wildfire that began on Friday afternoon near the Yosemite National Park in central California's Mariposa County scorched 18,087 acre (73.2 square km) with 26 per cent containment as of Tuesday morning, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).
Around 1,440 structures are still under threat as nearly 3,000 firefighters, with aircraft support, are continuing their efforts against the massive wildfire, Xinhua news agency reported.
"Fire crews continue providing structure defense, extinguishing hot spots, and building and improving direct fire lines," said Cal Fire in an update on Tuesday.
"Persistent drought, critically dry fuel and tree mortality continue to contribute to the fire's spread. Humidity levels were slightly higher overnight as monsoonal moisture began to move in," the agency added.
The Oak Fire has forced thousands of local residents to evacuate. California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for Mariposa County on Saturday due to the effects of the explosive fire.
Another explosive wildfire, the Washburn Fire, has burned more than 4,875 acre (19.7 square km) to date with 87 per cent contained after nearly three weeks near the Yosemite National Park. The Washburn Fire has drawn national attention as firefighters are battling the blaze to protect some of the world's oldest and largest trees in the park.
Many of the largest wildfires, including the top five, in California's history have happened in the past few years amid severe drought.
"California continues to experience longer wildfire seasons as a direct result of climate change," said Cal Fire in its 2022 fire season outlook, noting that "continued dry conditions, with above normal temperatures through spring, will leave fuel moisture levels lower than normal, increasing the potential for wildland fire activity."
Wildfires have swallowed more than 53,000 acre (214.5 square km) so far this year in the state, according to data released by Cal Fire.
The Chaoyang district reported 26 cases over the weekend, the highest number so far in Beijing's latest surge, said the BBC report. All 3.5 million residents in Chaoyang, Beijing's most populous district, will undergo three rounds of mass testing, according to a notice by the city's disease prevention team.
He was in the final year of high school and had been set to study criminal justice at a local university. On Friday evening, the temperatures were down to about 12 degrees Celsius in New Milford, which is about 35 km from New York City.
Pavan Swarna (23) of Khammam and his friend Vamshi Krishna Pechetty (23) of Bachupally in Medchal Malkajgiri district were killed in a head-on collision of two cars in Illinois on April 21.
A BBC report said Britain's longest-lived monarch had travelled by helicopter to her Norfolk estate and is expected to stay in a cottage on the estate particularly liked by her late husband, Prince Philip. The Queen was in Sandringham earlier this year when she marked her accession to the throne in 1952.
During the two-day meet, the British Prime Minister will first land in Ahmedabad on April 21 and then proceed to Delhi. The ministry statement said, At the invitation of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Rt. Hon'ble Boris Johnson MP, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom will pay an official visit to India from 21-22 April 2022.
Last week, British officials reported 74 cases of hepatitis, or liver inflammation, found in children since January. The usual viruses that cause infectious hepatitis were not seen in the cases, and scientists and doctors are considering other possible sources, including COVID-19, other viruses and environmental factors.
