13,500+ Firefighters Battle To Contain A Dozen Large Wildfires In Calif.

"The blazes have destroyed hundreds of homes and forced thousands of people to flee."

"MATHER, Calif. — More than 13,500 firefighters were working Monday to contain a dozen large California wildfires that have destroyed hundreds of homes and forced thousands of people to flee to safety.

After an extensive review of fire damage, Gov. Gavin Newsom requested a presidential major disaster declaration for eight counties, Mark Ghilarducci, director of the California Office of Emergency Services, told a briefing near Sacramento.

If approved, the declaration would provide a wide range of assistance including housing, food aid, unemployment and governmental emergency costs, Ghilarducci said.

Nearly 43,000 Californians were under evacuation orders and more than 500 households were in shelters, he said."

The Associated Press had the story August 24, 2021.

SEE ALSO:

"Pristine Lake Tahoe Shrouded In Smoke From Threatening Fire" (AP)

"Crews Struggle To Stop Fire Bearing Down On Lake Tahoe" (AP)

"California Wildfire Dangers May Be Spreading South" (AP)

"A Summer Of Terror, Heartbreak For Those In Path Of California Wildfires. ‘The Worst’" (Los Angeles Times)

"Returning Home to a Valley Filled With Flames" (New York Times)

"Wildfire Smoke May Be Contributing To Premature Births" (New York Times)

"Wildfire Smoke Leads To Worst Air Quality On Record In Nevada Counties" (The Hill)

Wildfire Roundup (AP)