Trump issues California declaration as infernos persist

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - President Donald Trump freed up federal resources Friday to assist efforts to combat massive wildfires outside Los Angeles and further south that are fueled by powerful seasonal winds for a fifth day.

The disaster declaration allows federal agencies like FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security to help relief efforts. California Governor Jerry Brown had previously declared states of emergency in four counties.

Thousands of firefighters in southern California are combatting a half-dozen wildfires from north of Santa Barbara to San Diego that have already forced thousands of residents to evacuate and destroyed hundreds of structures.

The largest, the Thomas Fire, has burned more than 130,000 acres and was only 10 percent contained as of Friday morning, according to officials. It has already destroyed more than 400 structures and has damaged 80 more as it makes its way toward Santa Barbra.

Closer to Los Angeles, the Skirball Fire has burned 475 acres and is 30 percent contained, according to Cal Fire. It has destroyed six structures and damaged 12 others.

One of the newest fires, the Lilac Fire, has expanded rapidly, consuming 4,100 acres north of San Diego, and destroying 65 structures after starting Thursday morning. More than 1,000 firefighters are battling the inferno.

The blazes are being accelerated by powerful annual winds known as Santa Anas and low humidity. The strong winds are expected to persist throughout parts of southern California through Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.