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August 21, 2020

Massive California Wildfires Leave 5 Dead, 700,000 Acres Burned
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In California, at least five people have died as the state battles more
than two dozen major fires amid a record-breaking heat wave and an
unprecedented number of lightning strikes. Authorities say nearly
700,000 acres have burned. Tens of thousands of homes are threatened.
The University of California at Santa Cruz has been forced to evacuate.
During the Democratic National Convention, California Governor Gavin
Newsom said, "If you are in denial about climate change, come to
California." On Thursday, President Trump threatened to withhold
emergency aid for California while blaming the state for causing the
fires by not properly raking leaves from the forest - a theory disputed
by many forestry experts.

In more climate news, the National Hurricane Center says not one, but
two hurricanes could make landfall along the Gulf Coast next week nearly
simultaneously, as the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season keeps up its
record-shattering pace.


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