California Wildfires news: Firefighters still struggling with Thomas fire due to its size

Wildfire ablazed in the Ventura County Reuters/ Mike Blake

Firefighters are still in the middle of minimizing a wildfire that has been ablaze for almost 10 days in several areas in California. The Thomas fire continues to be a big burden to the fire service because of its size.

Over 1,000 residential properties were destroyed along the area, and several residents have been evacuated to safety. Six major wildfires are still burning in Southern California, and red flag warnings have been issued to several communities. The biggest wildfire in motion is the Thomas fire. According to the latest update of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection or Cal Fire, 30 percent of the fire has already been contained as of 6 p.m. in California on Dec. 13. Evacuation orders in several areas have already been lifted like in the Ventura County.

Firefighters are still struggling with the Thomas fire due to its massive size. The size of the wildfire is said to be bigger than the cities of New York and Boston combined.

The Lilac Fire across the northern San Diego County is about to be completely contained by the fire service. About 96 percent of the fire has already been contained, but residents are encouraged to be vigilant due to other fire conditions. Over 4,000 acres and 150 structures in the county had been destroyed.

The Creek Fire in the Lake View Terrace area is now 95 percent contained as of Dec. 10. Over 15,619 were engulfed including a big chunk of the Angeles National Forest. Over 120 structures were destroyed and 80 other were damaged.

A smaller fire called Skirball fire broke out last Tuesday along the Bel-Air neighborhood. Authorities have determined that the fire ignited due to an illegal cooking blaze that started in a homeless encampment.

Several celebrities living in different areas in California had to leave their homes with their family.

World-renowned talk show hosts Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah Winfrey evacuated their community in order to get to safety. DeGeneres took it to Twitter to praise the California firefighters for their bravery. "The California firefighters are heroes. I'm grateful to every one of them."

People from all over the country and the world can monitor the situation through the Twitter account of Cal Fire or its website.

News
Christians redouble efforts to stop assisted suicide
Christians redouble efforts to stop assisted suicide

Christians are doubling down on efforts to stop assisted suicide becoming legal in England and Wales after Kim Leadbeater's bill was debated in Westminster on Friday. 

Christian leaders unite in Westminster to kick off 2025 ‘Shine Your Light’ evangelism campaign
Christian leaders unite in Westminster to kick off 2025 ‘Shine Your Light’ evangelism campaign

More than 100 Christian leaders recently came together at a parliamentary reception in London for the launch of Shine Your Light 2025 — a bold evangelistic initiative aiming to bring the message of Christ to streets, neighbourhoods, and marketplaces across the UK.

Darlington nurses still waiting for single-sex changing space despite Supreme Court ruling
Darlington nurses still waiting for single-sex changing space despite Supreme Court ruling

An NHS trust has been accused of continually flouting the law around women’s rights by requiring female nurses to get changed in front of a biologically male nurse who goes by the name of “Rose”. 

CofE mission funding has brought in 37,000 people since 2017
CofE mission funding has brought in 37,000 people since 2017

The Church of England is happy with the progress being made by strategic mission and ministry investments.