By: Zoe Zhang
On Saturday, a fourth wildfire started while three others were still burning, destroying thousands of acres in California and forcing evacuations. The wildfires started amidst scorching temperatures across the country, which are expected to get worse in Nevada, Arizona, and California this weekend.
Numerous residents in Riverside County were evacuated as a result of the Rabbit fire, which started on Friday. The wildfire has burned 7,600 acres as of Sunday. Air tankers and helicopters are helping ground troops drop water on the flames. However, triple-digit temperatures and difficult terrain made it difficult for crews fighting the fires, according to Tawny Castro of the county fire department.
Clouds of smoke from the Rabbit fire rose to the sky in Beaumont. Sanchez, an employee at Mr. Taco restaurant on Beaumont Avenue, stated that business was brisk on Saturday because of poor air quality and scorching temperatures. He described the restaurant as “a safe haven” as the air conditioning and refreshments draws customers in. “Our dining room is full and people get to be inside in the air conditioning and enjoy beer and refreshments,” he said.
In Moreno Valley, a fire dubbed the Reche fire has destroyed 437 acres. Evacuations were commanded on Friday, but they were later lowered to a warning on Friday night. Nearly 300 firemen are battling the blaze.
Evacuation orders issued for the Gavilan fire of Perris were lowered to a warning on Saturday evening. The wildfire has burned 250 acres.
Moreover, the Highland south of Beaumont has burned 105 acres and has triggered evacuations, but all warnings and orders were lifted by Friday night.
According to authorities, several sections of California are still under an extreme heat warning or advisory, which will last until next week.
Las Vegas meteorologists warned the public not to underestimate the threat. “This heatwave is NOT typical desert heat due to its long duration, extreme daytime temperatures, & warm nights. Everyone needs to take this heat seriously, including those who live in the desert,” the Las Vegas National Weather Service tweeted.
According to the National Weather Service, several temperature records were broken on Saturday because of the fires.
Phoenix recorded 118 degrees by late afternoon on Saturday, making it the city’s 16th day in a row with temperatures of 110 degrees or above. This puts Phoenix on course to surpass the record for the longest observed period of such heat. The record, set in 1974, is 18 days.
Health professionals cautioned that this sort of severe heat is dangerous for heat-related disorders including heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Cooling centers were set up across Riverside County for people seeking relief from the heat. Air conditioning, water, snacks and fans are provided in the Anza Valley Community Library in Anza, a region with temperatures of around 100 degrees.
Because of the blistering heat, many are already ill with dehydration or other heat-related illnesses by the time they get to the center.
“It feels like a heater is pounding down your head,” library associate Chantel Yarrow claimed.