VENTURA, California – Firefighters who have been battling destructive fires in California for almost two weeks now have been given a glimpse of hope following a report by the National Weather Service highlighting lighter winds in the area.
The fire, dubbed the Thomas Fire, began on the 4th of December and has scorched more than 270 000 acres of land along the scenic Pacific Coast north of Los Angeles.
According to research, this is the second biggest and most destructive fire in the state’s history after the Cedar Blaze which consumed 273 246 acres and caused 15 deaths in 2003 in San Diego County.
On Sunday, more than 8.500 firefighters in Southern California managed to contain about 45 percent of the fire which has already destroyed more than 1 000 structures and threatened 18 000 others.
In its twitter account, the National Weather Service said, “improving weather conditions should allow firefighters to make progress on the fire …on Monday and Tuesday.”
According to officials, calmer winds helped firefighters on Sunday to contain most of the blaze and hope winds will be calmer on Monday and Tuesday.
“We’re just hoping to make it home for Christmas, we are doing everything to put out the fire and hope the weather will be favourable,” Bakersfield Fire Department Captain Tim Ortiz.
Thomas fire, which has forced many schools and roads to be closed has already costed the government over $123.8 million in a bid to stop it.
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