Story at a glance
- At least 12 people have been killed by wildfires and 3.1 million acres have been burned this year.
- The August Complex fires have burned more than 471,000 acres, becoming the largest in state history.
- Officials on Wednesday night said three people died as a result of the North Complex fires burning near Butte, Plumas and Yuba counties and at least a dozen others are missing.
Wildfires in California have burned through more than 3.1 million acres and killed 12 people during this year’s fire season, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
“This year’s fire season has been a record-breaking year, in not only the total amount of acres burned, but 6 of the top 20 largest wildfires in California history have occurred in 2020,” Cal Fire said in a statement Thursday.
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The fires have destroyed more than 3,900 structures. At least 14,000 firefighters are currently fighting 29 major fires across the state. This time last year, wildfires in the Golden State burned through just 118,000 acres.
Officials on Wednesday night said three people died as a result of the North Complex fires burning near Butte, Plumas and Yuba counties and at least a dozen others are missing.
The blaze exploded in size due to record-high temperatures and strong winds forcing approximately 20,000 residents to evacuate. The fires have burned nearly 250,000 acres and are just 23 percent contained.
Cal Fire spokesperson Daniel Berlant said weather conditions led to “to explosive fires that have really just skyrocketed us past the 3 million mark for the first time in our recorded history.”
“Unfortunately, with several more months of fire season to go, this number could continue to increase,” Berlant said Thursday.
The August Complex fires that were sparked by lightning in mid-August burned an all-time record of 471,185 acres around Tehama County. The blaze is currently just 24 percent contained.
On Wednesday, Bay Area skies wore an orange glow due to smoke and ash lingering in the atmosphere and refracting the sunlight. Skies appeared burnt orange, red and grey.
At least three people were killed in Oregon and one in Washington Wednesday due to wildfires.
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