California wildfire traps campers in national forest

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

SHAVER LAKE, Calif. (AP) — More than 60 people were rescued from a California campground by military helicopter, including two who were severely injured in one of three fast-spreading wildfires that sent people fleeing as a brutal heat wave pushed temperatures into triple digits in many parts of the state.

The fire trapped campers Saturday at a reservoir in the Sierra National Forest. Of the 63 people rescued, two were severely injured, 10 were moderately injured and 51 others had minor or no injuries, according to a tweet by the Fresno Fire Department.

“Aircraft are returning to continue rescue operations,” the agency posted. “Unknown how many more.”

The wildfire burning near Shaver Lake exploded to 56 square miles (145 square kilometers), jumped a river and compromised the only road into the Mammoth Pool Campground, national forest spokesman Dan Tune said. At least 2,000 structures were threatened in the area about 290 miles (467 kilometers) north of Los Angeles, where temperatures in the city’s San Fernando Valley reached 117 degrees (47 degrees Celsius).



An air tanker drops retardant at a wildfire burns at a hillside in Yucaipa, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020. Three fast-spreading wildfires sent people fleeing and trapped campers in one campground as a brutal heat wave pushed temperatures above 100 degrees in many parts of California. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)


Read more: https://apnews.com/6fe5cbd3f91382b41fd5e433b92aea7b

[packman]

1. Now you have to ask yourself--

Why in the hell would you go camping at all in a high-risk area with bone-dry conditions.

[jimfields33]

2. Same reason why people don't wear their mask 100 percent of the time when

Around a person or persons. Arrogance and it won’t get me.

[moreland01]

5. And airplanes!

Why do they make everyone wear a mask and then take the drink cart down the aisle offering water and peanuts? A collective "off with the masks!" moment. Oooofa

[jimfields33]

8. That's true. Lol.

[Auggie]

3. Why would you go to a crowded beach during a pandemic?

Some people are nuts

[Merlot]

6. Is it possible they are homeless people who live at the campground?

I can't imagine why the campground remained open.

[Warpy]

9. ...where a wildfire is already burning!

I know it's Labor Day weekend. I know it's hot (it's triple digits here, too) and I know it's the last blowout of the year, but honestly, this is the time folks should have hit the beach, not remote campgrounds with limited escape routes.

[ripcord]

4. It is really bad right now and the weather isn't helping

[Chemisse]

7. Incredible! n/t

[moonscape]

11. Wow! What a photo! n/t

[mahatmakanejeeves]

14. Here's the source for that:

Hat tip, Capital Weather Gang

https://twitter.com/capitalweather

I took this today from our Southwest flight from San Jose to Las Vegas

Link to tweet

[Eugene]

10. New headline at link: More than 200 airlifted to safety from California wildfire

More than 200 airlifted to safety from California wildfire

an hour ago

SHAVER LAKE, Calif. (AP) — More than 200 people were airlifted to safety early Sunday after a fast-moving wildfire trapped them in a popular camping area in California’s Sierra National Forest, one several fires that broke out amid record-breaking, triple-digit temperatures that baked the state.

The California Office of Emergency Services said Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters were used for the rescues that began late Saturday and continued overnight. At least two people were severely injured and 10 more suffered moderate injuries. Two campers refused rescue and stayed behind, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office said.

A photo tweeted by the National Guard showed at least 20 evacuees crammed inside one helicopter, crouched on the floor clutching their belongings. In another photo taken on the ground from the cockpit, the densely wooded hills surrounding the aircraft were in flames.

The wildfire, named the Creek Fire, started Friday and by Saturday afternoon exploded to 56 square miles (145 square kilometers), jumped the San Joaquin River and cut off the only road into the Mammoth Pool Campground, national forest spokesman Dan Tune said. At least 2,000 structures were threatened in the area about 290 miles (467 kilometers) north of Los Angeles.

-snip-

Read more: https://apnews.com/6fe5cbd3f91382b41fd5e433b92aea7b

[Boomer]

13. "Two campers refused rescue and stayed behind"

Seriously? What were they thinking? I'd really like to know what could possibly lead someone to make that decision.

[PufPuf23]

12. Real time gif of California wildfires.

This fire is the large plume east of Fresno.