YouTube video shows how firefighters battle deadly California wildfires
Oct 17, 2017, 7:13 PM | Updated: Oct 18, 2017, 5:44 am
A series of wildfires has blazed through northern California in recent days, destroying thousands of acres of land and displacing residents in what officials are calling the deadliest wildfire outbreaks in the state’s history.
The fires have killed at least 41 people and destroyed nearly 6,000 homes. About 34,000 people remained under evacuation Tuesday, down from 40,000 on Monday.
A video posted on YouTube showed the point-of-view of the firefighters who were called in from around the state to battle these deadly wildfires.
This video showed the Berkeley Fire Department’s Engine 6 as it made its way to Santa Rosa, a town about 50 miles north, to fight the Tubbs Fire on Oct. 9.
The Tubbs Fire, according to San Francisco Gate, killed 15 people and burned through 36,390 acres since it first broke out. As of Tuesday, the fire was 82 percent contained.
In Santa Rosa, two hospitals were forced to close during the fires, leaving just one open, St. Joseph Health.
Eighty-three hospital employees and 51 doctors lost homes during the fires, though many continued to report to work.
“We expect the number to go up,” said St. Joseph Health spokeswoman Vanessa DeGier.
There was also good news to report.
A total of 36 babies were born at St. Joseph during the week since wildfires started, which represents about three times the normal delivery rate.
“All of those babies are doing very well,” said Vicki White, chief nursing officer.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.