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As Fires Burn, Power Cut and Smoke Everywhere, Californians Adapt to New
Normal

Michelle Quinn

   OAKLAND, CALIF. - Californians coped Monday with fire, smoke, wind and
   power outages as firefighters continued to battle flames around the
   state.

   Meteorologists report that another "wind event," strong gusting winds,
   was expected Tuesday in Northern California. Rain doesn't appear to be
   in the forecast anytime soon.

   Residents are left bracing themselves for more darkness.

   Starting Saturday night, Pacific Gas & Electric, the Northern
   California power company, cut power to nearly 1 million people out of
   fear that a spark on a power line could cause devastation. The firm
   said power may stay off through Wednesday.

   The company's role in devastating fires the past two autumns as well as
   with its decision to turn off the power has drawn criticism.

   "What's interesting about the fires at this moment is that it's rather
   normal," California [1]Gov. Gavin Newsom said at a press conference
   Monday. "Doesn't feel that way, but this is not abnormal, this moment
   in our state's history. What's not normal is the power shutoffs."

   Grappling with power outages and smoke has upended people's lives,
   including celebrities in Los Angeles. LeBron James, the professional
   basketball star, tweeted that he and his family were evacuated and
   driving around looking for a place to stay.

     Man these LA ð¥ aren't no joke. Had to emergency evacuate my house
     and I've been driving around with my family trying to get rooms. No
     luck so far! ð¤¦ð¾''ï¸
     -- LeBron James (@KingJames) [2]October 28, 2019

   In Northern California, schools are closed in some areas, and in
   others, students sit in classes lit only by daylight from the windows.
   Stores in Oakland are running on generators. People in areas with no
   power sit in their cars with their engines running, trying to charge
   their cellphones and computers.

   In Northern California, the powerful Kincade Fire in the wine country
   still burned, with about 5 percent containment of a 66,000-acre area
   that burned.

   In Southern California, the fire near the Getty Museum, which houses a
   vast art collection and library, destroyed homes. The museum itself is
   famously prepared for fire -- it's made of thick travertine stone and
   concrete, and has an underground 1 million-gallon water tank.

   WATCH: California wildfires

References

   1. https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/fires/article236714238.html
   2. https://twitter.com/KingJames/status/1188770703438278657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

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