California Wildfires 'A New Reality' Says Democrat Governor Of California Jerry Brown

The Governor of California said Saturday, the wildfire which started in Ventura county of Los Angeles in December is "a new reality" in the state of California.

According to a report by BBC, Gov. Jerry Brown said the huge fires like the one which spread across southern California recently "could happen every year or every few years."

After inspecting the damage caused by the wildfire in Ventura County, north of Los Angeles, Brown said: "We're facing a new reality in this state, where fires threaten people's lives, their properties, their neighborhoods, and of course billions and billions of dollars."

Brown, a Democrat, has been quite vocal about his opposition against the Donald Trump administration’s position on climate change.

"With climate change, some scientists are saying southern California is literally burning up," he added.

The wildfire named the Thomas Fire, consumed approximately 150,000 acres of land, close to the size of Chicago.

The report said that the largest of the fires occurred in Ventura County, spread towards the Pacific Coast and swept across 180 square miles (466 square kilometers).

The Lilac Fire, which occurred around the north of San Diego County, California, on Thursday, also caused massive damage burning at least 105 structures along Highway 76, scorching 4100 acres. According to reports, as of Saturday, officials in the surrounding areas of north San Diego said the fire was contained till 20 percent and full containment is not possible till Dec. 21.

According to CAL Fire, the firefighter teams were able to contain the fire as the weather on Saturday was quite favorable. However, officials have warned that new fires may start in the next 24 hours via the flying fire embers due to Santa Ana winds which are predicted to blow through Sunday.

Six people were reported to be injured without any fatal injuries. However, the fire killed 35 horses at the San Luis Ray Downs training facility. Two firefighters and four others were also injured while performing their duties. Out of the four, one was a trainer who suffered burns on 50 percent of his body.

The BBC report stated the fire which broke at Ventura County resulted in the evacuation of approximately 200,000 residents and also caused the death of a 70-year-old woman who was discovered in her car on the road used for the evacuation process. Three firefighters were also injured.

President Donald Trump issued a state of emergency to "help alleviate the hardship and suffering that the emergency may inflict."

Around 5700 firefighters, some even drafted from the neighboring states were called in to control the vast fire. A purple alert — the highest level warning — was also issued by authorities who described it as "extremely critical fire weather."

"The forecast for tomorrow is purple," said Ken Pimlott, the director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Thursday. He then added: "We’ve never used purple before," according to a report by Time magazine.

With regards to the winds which are helping the fire spread, Pimlott said: "We’re talking winds that can surface that can be 80 miles an hour."