Story highlights
NEW: The largest of the fires grows to 173,000 acres
Thousands of firefighters are working to contain the blazes
Gov. Jerry Brown has a sobering message for Southern Californians after a week of raging wildfires: This is your new normal.
A half dozen fires have collectively scorched nearly 200,000 acres since last week and destroyed 792 structures, according to officials.
As 4,000 firefighters battled the largest one, the Thomas Fire, the governor surveyed the damage in Ventura County on Saturday.
“This is kind of the new normal,” he said, adding that extreme fire activity will happen on a regular basis for decades.
“With climate change, some scientists are saying that Southern California is literally burning up,” he said. “So we have to have the resources to combat the fires and we also have to invest in managing the vegetation and forests … in a place that’s getting hotter.”
Mother Nature was not offering any encouragement, either. On Sunday, wind gusts were expected to be between 45 and 60 mph. The winds had weakened slightly Saturday, giving firefighters a much-needed break after days of erratic conditions.
Gusts are forecast to decrease on Monday, and will be between 20 and 30 mph. But forecasts show no rain for California for the next 10 to 14 days. Warm temperatures and periodic wind gusts mean the threat of fire will continue for the time being.
At least one death has been blamed on the Thomas Fire, which broke out in Ventura County on Monday. Authorities believe Virginia Pesola, 70, of Santa Paula, died in a crash while fleeing the fire.
Latest developments
• Power outages: About 3,600 customers were without power because of the Lilac Fire, according to San Diego Gas & Electric. More than 3,200 customers are still without power due to the Thomas Fire along the north coast, the Creek Fire in Sylmar and the Rye Fire in Santa Clarita, according to Southern California Edison.
Progress: Cal Fire director Ken Pimlott said firefighters are making a lot of progress, but there’s still much to be done. “We’re far from being out of the woods on any of them,” he said.
Teamwork: Nearly 1,000 fire departments across California are involved in efforts to contain the blazes.
More help: The White House has approved California’s request for direct federal assistance. President Donald Trump ordered FEMA and Homeland Security to coordinate relief efforts in affected counties.
Wildfires spread in Southern California
The fires
• More injuries: The Lilac Fire has left three people with burn injuries and two firefighters hurt. One firefighter suffered smoke inhalation; the second continued working after a dislocated shoulder was popped back into place, officials said.
The six blazes vary in size.
Thomas Fire: By Saturday, the largest of the fires had scorched 155,000 acres, with about 15% of it contained. At least 4,000 people were fighting it, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Kevin Donoghue said.
On Sunday morning, as the fire was advancing toward Montecito, residents of nearby Carpinteria could see ribbons of flames in the foothills, sending smoke curling into the sky. Water-dropping helicopters were helping fight the blaze alongside at least one hundred fire engines, some from as far away as Portland, Oregon.
Creek Fire: The second-largest blaze ignited a day later in neighboring Los Angeles County. It has burned 15,619 acres and is 85% contained.
Rye Fire: It broke out Tuesday in Los Angeles County and has burned 6,049 acres. Firefighters are making progress, with 80% of the blaze contained.
Lilac Fire: This fast-moving fire has consumed 4,100 acres since it ignited Thursday in San Diego County. Firefighters have regained control of it, and it’s 60% contained.
Skirball Fire: It started Wednesday as a brush fire in Los Angeles County. It has burned 421 acres and is now 75% contained.
Liberty Fire: The blaze in Riverside County has burned 300 acres since it ignited Thursday. It’s 90% contained.
CNN’s Steve Almasy, Joe Sutton, Nicole Chavez and Dakin Andone contributed to this report.