VENTURA, Calif.–The huge California wildfires burning in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties have now become the fifth-largest blaze in the state’s history and are larger than both New York City and Boston combined.
While reports indicate that several of the fires are close to being contained, the Thomas fire rages on and has the California and Nevada League concerned for CUs in its path.
“We do know that most of the fires are being contained, except for the Thomas Fire, which continues to grow and is now moving toward the Santa Barbara area,” said league spokesperson Tina Ramos-Ingold.
Near the heart of the blazes, Ventura County Credit Union on its website stated that all of its branches are currently open, but that the CU continues to monitor the air quality at each office, advising members to check the credit union’s site regularly for updates.
CNBC reported that the Thomas Fire is burning in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, about 100 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Both the Creek and Rye fires in Los Angeles County were 90% contained by Sunday morning, officials said, while the Skirball Fire in Bel Air was 75% contained. North of San Diego, the 4,100-acre Lilac Fire was 75% contained by Sunday and most evacuation orders had been lifted, CNBC stated.
President Trump on Friday declared an emergency in California and ordered additional federal aid. His declaration, which Gov. Jerry Brown had requested, allows federal agencies to coordinate the relief efforts.