As lighting from thunderstorms sparked hundreds of wildfires in California this week, Governor Newsom took swift action to aid the state’s response efforts as fires grew larger throughout the week. First, the Governor declared a statewide state of emergency on Tuesday, August 18 to free up resources for fire suppression efforts amidst record temperatures and extremely dry conditions. The Governor has also secured federal funding assistance for: 1) the LNU Lightning Complex Fire, which is burning in Napa, Sonoma, Lake, Solano and Yolo Counties; 2) the Jones Fire in Nevada County; 3) the CZU August Lightening Complex Fire in Santa Cruz and San Mateo Counties; and 4) the River Fire in Monterey County. The Governor’s emergency proclamation and information on his federal funding requests can be viewed on the Governor’s website here.
Currently, the SCU Lightening Complex Fire in the Bay Area and the LNU Lightening Complex Fire are the two largest wildfires of 2020, both surpassing 130,000 acres as of Thursday afternoon with very little containment. More information on all of the fire activity in the state can be found on CAL FIRE’s website here.