When Forecasts Unfortunately Come True: Destructive California Wildfires, And Trouble In The East

Unfortunately, as expected, destructive wildfires
broke out in southern California Wednesday and
they continued today. 

The worst fears were realized in southern California Wednesday when an explosive wildfire blasted through Camarillo, California, destroying dozens of homes. 

Wildfires had been predicted, as strong Santa Ana winds propelled 60 mph gusts through canyons and dropped humidity levels to rock bottom levels.

It was a scene of chaos in Camarillo, as the fire hopscotched through neighborhood after neighborhood. Embers flying in the gales would set some houses on fire, while others next door remained unscathed.

Given the chaotic evacuations from the rapidly advancing fire.  The fire was moving so fast that crews had to rush people into fire engines to get them away from the blaze.  Fire victims said they had to flee so hastily that they didn't even have time to grab medication and important papers.

I'm surprised that so far, we have reports of only two injuries among residents. Both had smoke inhalation, and were taken to hospitals where they are expected to recover. 

In all, 14,000 people have been evacuated because of the wildfire.

During a Thursday morning aerial survey, KABC reporter Scott Reiff said he counted 83 homes destroyed by the fire. He might have missed some, and others might have been destroyed after he took his inventory. 

 At last report, 24 hours after the fire started, it was still listed as zero percent contained. 

Santa Ana winds are still gusty today, though not as intense as they were on Thursday. The humidity is still really low, too, so fires are spreading readily. The danger is expected to taper off some on Friday and weak, moist onshore winds are expected in southern California over the weekend and early next week.

The light winds and higher humidity should help firefighters make some gains against the wildfires. However, more strong, dry Santa Ana winds are possible next Wednesday and Thursday. 

EAST

Fires continued to burn in the eastern United States, too, but obviously not as severely as in California. 

One of the worst fires is in Jackson Township, New Jersey. The fire forced the evacuation of 25 threatened homes, but firefighters managed to protect the houses and the residents were allowed to move back in Wednesday night. 

Another wildfire broke out Thursday in a Philadelphia suburb and at last report it was threatening about 50 homes. 

Another wildfire burned for a fourth day near Blue Mountain, Pennsylvania. 

The wildfire risk is forecast to actually increase some Friday in a band from Maryland and Pennsylvania up into Connecticut and Massachusetts. 

Videos: 

News update from the morning after today. Click on this link to view, or if you see the image below, click on that. 

Next video has mostly aerial views that give you a sense of how widespread the destruction is. Again, click on this link to view, or if you see the image below, click on that: