At least two people have died helping to fight California fires that have forced the evacuation of a an Air Force base, led thousands up and down the state to flee their homes, and covered the Bay Area in smoke.

The LNU Lightning Fire has burned more than 124,00 acres and is 0% contained.

Some two dozen major blazes burning in blistering heatwave are also putting new pressure on businesses struggling in the coronavirus pandemic.

Dozens of lightning-sparked wildfires threatened communities in Northern California's wine country on Wednesday, and Colorado battled its second largest fire ever as a heat wave supercharged blazes across the U.S. West.

Lightning-sparked wildfires swept across Northern California on Wednesday, scorching swaths of sun-parched land and sending thousands fleeing from their homes.

The California governor declared a state of emergency as fire crews scrambled to contain dozens of wildfires.

Smoke blanketed the city of San Francisco.

Crews stretched thin... (Third column, 5th story, link) Related stories:Northern California fires explode in size... Napa Inferno... Drudge Report Feed needs your support!   Become a Patron

The state is under a state of emergency.

FIRE, 130 W CLIFF DR ,SANTA CRUZ (7/25/2023 11:12:26 PM )

STRUCTURE FIRE Region: Santa Cruz #CAfire https://t.co/aus1K9MlDa

FIRE, 6066 THURBER LN ,SANTA CRUZ GARDENS (7/25/2023 9:14:45 PM )

FIRE, 57 S BRANCIFORTE AVE ,SANTA CRUZ (7/25/2023 7:00:23 PM )

FIRE, 728 DARWIN ST ,SANTA CRUZ (7/25/2023 5:59:35 PM )

FIRE ALARM, 2956 MISSION ST ,SANTA CRUZ ( )

LAW REQUEST FOR FIRE & AMR TO , 1927 OCEAN ST EXT ,SANTA CRUZ (7/25/2023 2:26:50 PM )

FIRE, 8005 WINKLE AVE ,SANTA CRUZ GARDENS (7/25/2023 11:00:27 AM )

FIRE, 1620 SEABRIGHT AVE ,SANTA CRUZ (7/25/2023 8:25:52 AM )

We are in "extreme fire hazard" zone in City of Santa Cruz. But we are prevented by Heritage Tree ordinance from clearing a defensive space. Ordinance makes no provision for fire hazards. That seems quite wrong.

FIRE ALARM, 121 PASTURE RD ,SANTA CRUZ (7/24/2023 12:22:29 PM )

LAW REQUEST FOR FIRE & AMR TO , 701 OCEAN ST ,SANTA CRUZ (7/24/2023 9:20:42 AM )

LAW REQUEST FOR FIRE & AMR TO , 1602 SOQUEL AVE ,SANTA CRUZ (7/23/2023 8:27:27 PM )

FIRE, COWELLS BEACH ,SANTA CRUZ (7/23/2023 12:28:57 AM )

FIRE ALARM, 1101 PACIFIC AVE ,SANTA CRUZ (7/22/2023 10:56:05 PM )

Cal Fire Battalion Chief Jon Heggie wasn’t expecting much to worry about when a late summer fire erupted north of Santa Cruz, home to California’s moist and cool “asbestos forests.” This place doesn’t burn, he thought, with just three notable fires … https://t.co/lKitZSyVVG