Headline: Ack! Distant fires leave California's capital city in a haze

No major wildfires are burning near Sacramento but for two weeks a dull haze and the faint smell of smoke from distant blazes has blanketed California's capital region.

It's forced summer campers to stay inside, obscured normally bright skylines and left ash on cars.

Experiencing smoky air from blowing winds is nothing new in many California cities, but Sacramento air quality experts say it's rare for the dirty air to linger for so long, a reality of ever-larger fires that take longer to extinguish.

The haze stretches to the Sierra Nevada mountain range and nearly every major population center in between has suffered air quality considered dangerous for children, the elderly and people with asthma.

Winds often blow smoky air around California during intense fires, but Sacramento air quality experts say it's rare for the dirty air to linger for so long, a reality of ever-larger fires that take longer to extinguish.

There are two major wildfires _ one called the Mendocino Complex Fire that is the largest in California history _ burning more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) north of Sacramento and another huge fire near Yosemite National Park a little farther to the southeast. Firefighters made significant process against the Mendocino Complex for the first time Wednesday but said the blazes will likely continue through September.

Wednesday marked the Sacramento region's 13th straight "Spare the Air" day, when people are encouraged not to drive and add further pollutants to the air _ the longest stretch since at least 2001. A similar warning is effect in the San Francisco Bay Area, and air quality experts in California's Central Valley and areas southeast of Los Angeles are warning residents to limit outdoor exposure because of wildfires there.

A day earlier, dozens of summer campers sat inside watching a movie at a Sacramento YMCA.

"Normally that doesn't happen on a regular day at camp," said Jay Lowden, president of the YMCA for a nine-county region that serves more than 700 kids weekly at 13 summer camps. His counselors monitor the air quality on a daily basis, and Lowden said he may cancel a planned family camp this weekend in the foothills because of the smoke.

Lori Kobza, spokeswoman for the Sacramento Air Quality Management District, said it's hard to predict when things will improve because of the unpredictably of the fires and the winds.

Because the city is located in a valley, it's easier for smoky air to get trapped here when high pressure systems blow in, making Sacramento like a smoke-filled bowl that's had a lid placed tightly on top.

Sacramento, California - 8 August 2018

1. Various of kids playing indoors at YMCA Sacramento day camp (YMCA says parents signed waivers allowing kids to be on camera)

2. Various of playground equipment not being used

3. SOUNDITE (English) Jay Lowden, president of YMCA of Superior California

"The wildfires and the air quality and lack of good air quality has impacted our camps. We have to keep the kids inside more. A lot of the outdoor physical activities we've had to curtail and cut back on. And it's frustrating because the kids are spending more time inside. They get a little bit of cabin fever."

4. California State Capitol building in hazy air

5. Sacramento River and skyline in hazy air

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Lori Kobza, spokeswoman, Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District

"We're just most concerned right now with the wildfire smoke and the particulate matter. So we do encourage people to stay indoors and limit their outside activities."

7. Screen showing air quality index

8. Kobza on computer showing air quality map

9. Screen showing air quality map of Sacrament region

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Lori Kobza, spokeswoman, Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District

"Now the Mendocino Complex Fires right now are so huge are burning over 300,000 acres and they are contributing the majority of the smoke. Right now however we are still seeing impacts from the Carr Fire, which is burning up near Redding and the Ferguson Fire which is burning in the Yosemite Valley area."

11. Various of kids playing indoors at YMCA day camp

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Braylin Sligar, YMCA camp director

"So air quality wise, so it limits our outdoor time which is hard during summer because it's all about being outdoors and using the outdoors to have fun and to play. So we've had to incorporate a lot more indoor activities in developing our program to accommodate the weather."

13. Boys playing basketball in gym

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Nolasco, 11, YMCA day camper

"It's a very good idea to have a stay indoors because sometimes the pollution can make us sick and stuff."

15. Kids sitting in gym with camp counselor

Headline: Ack! Distant fires leave California's capital city in a haze

No major wildfires are burning near Sacramento but for two weeks a dull haze and the faint smell of smoke from distant blazes has blanketed California's capital region.

It's forced summer campers to stay inside, obscured normally bright skylines and left ash on cars.

Experiencing smoky air from blowing winds is nothing new in many California cities, but Sacramento air quality experts say it's rare for the dirty air to linger for so long, a reality of ever-larger fires that take longer to extinguish.

The haze stretches to the Sierra Nevada mountain range and nearly every major population center in between has suffered air quality considered dangerous for children, the elderly and people with asthma.

Winds often blow smoky air around California during intense fires, but Sacramento air quality experts say it's rare for the dirty air to linger for so long, a reality of ever-larger fires that take longer to extinguish.

There are two major wildfires _ one called the Mendocino Complex Fire that is the largest in California history _ burning more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) north of Sacramento and another huge fire near Yosemite National Park a little farther to the southeast. Firefighters made significant process against the Mendocino Complex for the first time Wednesday but said the blazes will likely continue through September.

Wednesday marked the Sacramento region's 13th straight "Spare the Air" day, when people are encouraged not to drive and add further pollutants to the air _ the longest stretch since at least 2001. A similar warning is effect in the San Francisco Bay Area, and air quality experts in California's Central Valley and areas southeast of Los Angeles are warning residents to limit outdoor exposure because of wildfires there.

A day earlier, dozens of summer campers sat inside watching a movie at a Sacramento YMCA.

"Normally that doesn't happen on a regular day at camp," said Jay Lowden, president of the YMCA for a nine-county region that serves more than 700 kids weekly at 13 summer camps. His counselors monitor the air quality on a daily basis, and Lowden said he may cancel a planned family camp this weekend in the foothills because of the smoke.

Lori Kobza, spokeswoman for the Sacramento Air Quality Management District, said it's hard to predict when things will improve because of the unpredictably of the fires and the winds.

Because the city is located in a valley, it's easier for smoky air to get trapped here when high pressure systems blow in, making Sacramento like a smoke-filled bowl that's had a lid placed tightly on top.

Sacramento, California - 8 August 2018

1. Various of kids playing indoors at YMCA Sacramento day camp (YMCA says parents signed waivers allowing kids to be on camera)

2. Various of playground equipment not being used

3. SOUNDITE (English) Jay Lowden, president of YMCA of Superior California

"The wildfires and the air quality and lack of good air quality has impacted our camps. We have to keep the kids inside more. A lot of the outdoor physical activities we've had to curtail and cut back on. And it's frustrating because the kids are spending more time inside. They get a little bit of cabin fever."

4. California State Capitol building in hazy air

5. Sacramento River and skyline in hazy air

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Lori Kobza, spokeswoman, Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District

"We're just most concerned right now with the wildfire smoke and the particulate matter. So we do encourage people to stay indoors and limit their outside activities."

7. Screen showing air quality index

8. Kobza on computer showing air quality map

9. Screen showing air quality map of Sacrament region

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Lori Kobza, spokeswoman, Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District

"Now the Mendocino Complex Fires right now are so huge are burning over 300,000 acres and they are contributing the majority of the smoke. Right now however we are still seeing impacts from the Carr Fire, which is burning up near Redding and the Ferguson Fire which is burning in the Yosemite Valley area."

11. Various of kids playing indoors at YMCA day camp

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Braylin Sligar, YMCA camp director

"So air quality wise, so it limits our outdoor time which is hard during summer because it's all about being outdoors and using the outdoors to have fun and to play. So we've had to incorporate a lot more indoor activities in developing our program to accommodate the weather."

13. Boys playing basketball in gym

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Nolasco, 11, YMCA day camper

"It's a very good idea to have a stay indoors because sometimes the pollution can make us sick and stuff."

15. Kids sitting in gym with camp counselor

No major wildfires are burning near Sacramento but for two weeks a dull haze and the faint smell of smoke from distant blazes has blanketed California's capital region.

It's forced summer campers to stay inside, obscured normally bright skylines and left ash on cars.

Winds often blow smoky air around California during intense fires, but Sacramento air quality experts say it's rare for the dirty air to linger for so long, a reality of ever-larger fires that take longer to extinguish.

The haze stretches to the Sierra Nevada mountain range and nearly every major population center in between has suffered air quality considered dangerous for children, the elderly and people with asthma.

There are two major wildfires - one called the Mendocino Complex Fire that is the largest in California history - burning more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) north of Sacramento and another huge fire near Yosemite National Park a little farther to the southeast.

Sacramento, California - 8 August 2018

1. Various of kids playing indoors at YMCA Sacramento day camp

2. Various of playground equipment not being used

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Jay Lowden, president of YMCA of Superior California

"The wildfires and the air quality and lack of good air quality has impacted our camps. We have to keep the kids inside more. A lot of the outdoor physical activities we've had to curtail and cut back on. And it's frustrating because the kids are spending more time inside. They get a little bit of cabin fever."

4. California State Capitol building in hazy air

5. Sacramento River and skyline in hazy air

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Lori Kobza, spokeswoman, Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District

"We're just most concerned right now with the wildfire smoke and the particulate matter. So we do encourage people to stay indoors and limit their outside activities."

7. Screen showing air quality index

8. Kobza on computer showing air quality map

9. Screen showing air quality map of Sacramento region

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Lori Kobza, spokeswoman, Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District

"Now the Mendocino Complex Fires right now are so huge are burning over 300,000 acres and they are contributing the majority of the smoke. Right now however we are still seeing impacts from the Carr Fire, which is burning up near Redding and the Ferguson Fire which is burning in the Yosemite Valley area."

11. Various of kids playing indoors at YMCA day camp

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Braylin Sligar, YMCA camp director

"So air quality wise, so it limits our outdoor time which is hard during summer because it's all about being outdoors and using the outdoors to have fun and to play. So we've had to incorporate a lot more indoor activities in developing our programme to accommodate the weather."

13. Boys playing basketball in gym

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Nolasco, 11, YMCA day camper

"It's a very good idea to have a stay indoors because sometimes the pollution can make us sick and stuff."

15. Kids sitting in gym with camp counselor

188396

Greece - Wildfires

APTN

Pilion Mountain region nr Volos, Central Greece, Suburb of Patras, Peloponesus, southern Greece and Ageoianergiri, 150km (100 miles) south of Athens - 13-14 July 2000

July 13 NIGHT SHOTS - Pilion Mountain region nr Volos, Central Greece

1. Various of fires

July 14 Daytime - Suburb of Patras, Peloponnese peninsula, southern Greece

2. Man trying to beat out fires

July 14 Ageoianergiri, 150km (100 miles) south of Athens

3. Various of plane dropping water over fires

4. Various of fires on hill side

522379

US - Firefighters battle wildfires in California and Florida

AP TELEVISION

Various - 11 May 2007

Avalon, Catalina Island, California

1. Aerial shot of huge plumes of smoke rising from mountains

2. Various aerials of fire

Osceola National Forest, Columbia County, Florida

3. Various of forest fire

349148

Russia - Forest Fires Causing Smog That Is Enveloping Moscow

APTN

Moscow/Novaya - 5 Sept 2002

Novaya, 30 kilometres east of Moscow

1. Forest near the village of Novaya, 30 kilometres east of Moscow

2. Burnt trees with the haze in the background

3. Two firefighters

4. Close up fire

5. Firefighter

6. Pan smoke

Moscow

7. Haze in Moscow

8. Red star on the Kremlin

349380

Russia - Smog Blankets Moscow

APTN

Moscow - 8 Sept 2002

1. Kremlin in smog

2. Bridge over river in smog

3. Pedestrians walking along a bridge

4. Woman passing by and covering face with a handkerchief

1208

USA - Los Angeles Smog

APTV

Los Angeles - 2 December 1994

1. GV Los Angeles smog

2. Traffic in Los Angeles

350425

Mexico - Pollution

APTN

Mexico City - 19 September 2002

1. WS Mexico City skyline in heavy smog

2. HS traffic at Angel de la Independencia in Mexico City

3. Zoom out skyline in smog

4. VS traffic and smog

HEADLINE: Wildfires causing poor air quality in N. Calif.

---------------------------------------

CAPTION: Wildfires raging across California are being blamed for unhealthy air quality throughout the San Joaquin Valley. The heavy smoke and particulate pollution has prompted an air quality warning. (June 24)

----------------------------------------

[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE]

NB. THIS IS A VOICEOVER TRANSCRIPT, NOT A FULL SHOT LIST.

(locator - Napa, CA)

RIGHT NOW THE SMOKY AROMA IN CALIFORNIA WINE COUNTRY ISN'T COMING FROM THE OAK AGED MERLOT.

Ripple Sharma, Tourist, says: "Normally there's a great view of the ocean but all you see are these dry hills and haze."

THE HAZE IS COMING FROM HUNDREDS OF SMALL WILDFIRES BURNING ALL OVER NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.

Elaine St. Clair, Black Stallion Winery, says: "At night we could see an orange glow at the very top of the hill and there was smoke."

THAT SMOKE IS EVERYWHERE. AIR QUALITY OFFICIALS TO PUT OUT AN ADVISORY TO AVOID THE OUTDOORS IF POSSIBLE.

Kristine Roselius, Bay Area Air Quality Management District, says: "We do have some smoke effects here in the Bay Area. We have higher than usual levels of particulate matter. So we're advising people that are sensitive to the smoke to stay inside, keep their children inside and just use common sense."

(camp counselor tells kids: "We're gonna play indoor baseball with the rubber ball.")

BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS ARE KEEPING CHILDREN INDOORS.

Eric Dreikosen, Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley, says: "It's much darker. You can absolutely smell the smoke in the air."

THE KIDS SHOULD BE ALLOWED BACK OUTSIDE WEDNESDAY AS OFF-SHORE WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO BLOW MUCH OF THE SMOKE AWAY. HAVEN DALEY, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, NAPA, CALIFORNIA.

STORYLINE

Winds picked up and sent flames from a massive Southern California wildfire rushing downhill on the flanks of Mount San Jacinto.

Helicopters making water drops and air tankers pouring red flame retardant circled overhead as flames burned both sides of the main road leading to the scenic town of Idyllwild.

The blaze erupted on July 25th and quickly turned into a wall of flame that torched timber and dry brush. In a matter of hours, the so-called Cranston Fire grew to 7.5 square miles (19 square kilometers).

About 3,000 residents were under evacuation orders Thursday in Idyllwild and several neighboring communities.

California Governor Jerry Brown declared states of emergency for this fire and two others.

***

An explosive wildfire that has torn through several Northern California communities, forcing thousands to flee and burning hundreds of home houses, continues to grow out of control.

Firefighters spent much of the day on July 28th scrambling from one flare-up to another spread over miles of mountainous terrain.

It's now the largest fire burning in California.

Two firefighters were killed in the blaze, including a bulldozer operator who was helping clear vegetation in the wildfire's path.

About 38,000 people were under evacuation orders, 5,000 homes were threatened and the fire was just 5 percent contained.

The latest tally of 536 destroyed structures was up from 500 earlier in the day, and sure to rise.

A count by The Associated Press found at least 300 of those structures were homes.

Authorities also announced that three more people had been killed in the blaze, two young children and their great-grandmother.

***

Keswick, a mountain town of about 450 people, has been reduced to an ashy moonscape of blackened trees and smouldering rubble.

The San Bernardino County Fire Department was called in to tamp down smoking piles of debris that were scattered around the town amid downed electricity lines.

The deadly Northern California wildfire that has forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes slowed down on July 29th after days of explosive growth, giving officials hope even as they announced the discovery of a sixth fatality.

The blaze is burning around Redding, a city of roughly 92,000 people about 230 miles (370 kilometers) north of San Francisco.

Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko said authorities found a sixth victim of the blaze at a home that was consumed by flames. The victim's identity was not released. Several others have been reported missing.

The so-called Carr Fire was ignited by a vehicle problem on Monday about 10 miles (16 kilometers) west of the city.

On July 27th, it swept through the historic Gold Rush town of Shasta and nearby Keswick, fueled by gusty winds and dry vegetation.

It then jumped the Sacramento River and took out subdivisions on the western edge of Redding.

The latest tally showed at least 657 homes destroyed and another 145 damaged, with the fire having consumed 149 square miles (386 square kilometers).

***

In Northern California, twin fires straddling Mendocino and Lake counties have destroyed at least seven homes and threatened an estimated 12,000 more, US fire officials said.

Firefighters pressed their battle against a pair of fires that have burned 117 square miles (300 square kilometres) across Mendocino and Lake counties.

Lake County is about 110 miles (180 kilometres) north of San Francisco.

In all, roughly 19,000 people have been warned to flee.

Evacuation orders remained in effect on July 31st for the town of Lakeport, along with some smaller communities and a section of the Mendocino National Forest.

Lakeport is a popular destination for bass anglers and boaters on the shores of Clear Lake. By July 30th, it was a ghost town, its main streets deserted.

***

One of two wildfires burning miles apart in Northern California grew overnight, scorching dry vegetation in rugged terrain.

Satellite images from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the European Space Agency show the scope of the fires as they burned across the state in the last few days.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said Tuesday the blaze burning in Mendocino, Lake and Colusa counties has scorched 378 square miles (979 square kilometers). It's only 20 percent contained.

But fire crews made progress against the other blaze, which is now 78 percent contained.

On August 6th the wildfires known as the Mendocino Complex, became the state's largest wildfire in history.

Officials say together the blazes about 100 miles (259 kilometers) north of San Francisco have charred 455 square miles (1,178 square kilometers).

That surpasses a wildfire in 2017 in Southern California that burned 440 square miles (1,140 square kilometers).

***

Smoke from hundreds of wildfires ranging along the North American West Coast are blanketing Seattle and the northwest with heavy smoke.

Public-health officials warned of unhealthy air across many parts of the Pacific Northwest.

Local and regional wildfires are causing smoke and haze in Washington, prompting air quality alerts from Walla Walla to Spokane to Yakima.

The National Weather Service issued an air quality alert for much of Central and Eastern Washington and northern Idaho through August 14th.

The service says unhealthy air will be common because of the large wildfires currently burning in the region.

People should limit outdoor activity when possible, officials said.

Smoke can irritate eyes and worsen problems for people with pre-existing health conditions.

Air quality was at unhealthy levels for sensitive groups including children, the elderly and people with respiratory illness on August 13th, several clean-air agencies in Puget Sound said.

In Oregon, fires in Washington state and in the southern part of the state were also causing smoky, hazy conditions August 13th.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality on August 13th issued several air quality advisories.

It says air quality was unhealthy in the Portland region, as well as in areas including Pendleton, Grants Pass, Medford and Pendleton.

In Beaverton, schools suspended outdoor athletic activities because of the unhealthy air quality.

Thirteen large wildfires have burned more than 211 square miles in Washington state, while 10 large fires have scorched more than 256 square miles in Oregon, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. About 600 wildfires are burning across British Columbia.

01:11:01

00:00:00

California fire burns homes, injures firefighters, civilians

4165359

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Idyllwild, California - 26 July 2018

1. Smoke rising behind trees

2. Flames, smoke rising from mountain

3. Vehicles driving on road, massive pillar of smoke behind them

00:12:00

Deadly fire in rural Northern California rages into its seventh day

4165571

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Redding, California - 28 July 2018

4. Various of firefighters fighting fire on the outskirts of Redding

00:23:23

California wildfire leaves swathe of devastation in Keswick

4165669

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Keswick - 29 July 2018

5. Tracking shot of area destroyed by fire, including burned cars, trees, houses and scorched land

00:32:23

Twin Northern California fires threaten 12,000 homes

4165996

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lakeport, California - 31 July 2018

6. Various of firefighter watching smoke and helicopter

7. Flames

8. Various of group of firefighters looking at flaming mountains

9. Helicopter near flames

10. Fire on the mountains

11. Firefighting aircraft

00:58:17

California Wildfires Seen from Space

4166859

NOAA

Space - 6 August 2018

12. STILL: Satellite image with map boundaries and locations overlaid

01:03:01

Smoke from western wildfires blankets Seattle

4167906

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Seattle - August 14, 2018

13. Various of smoke-filled Seattle, skyline

On October 7th 2019 Paris members of Extinction Rebellion blocked streets with mass sit-ins as riot police looked on.

In Berlin people blocked the Grosser Stern, a traffic circle in the middle of the German capital's Tiergarten park dominated by the landmark Victory Column, in a protest that started in the early hours.

Members of Extinction Rebellion also set up a camp outside Chancellor Angela Merkel's office ahead of what it called an "international rebellion" starting on October 7th.

Founded in Britain in 2018, the movement, also known as XR, now has chapters in some 50 countries.

***

A wildfire raged out of control along the northern edge of Los Angeles on October 11th, forcing thousands of people from their homes as firefighters battled flames from the air and on the ground.

Police Chief Michel Moore said mandatory evacuations encompassed about 100,000 people in over 20,000 homes.

Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas said the fire had grown to more than 7 square miles (18 square kilometers) and at least 25 homes had been damaged.

A middle-aged man who was near where the fire was burning went into cardiac arrest and died, the chief said, but he did not have details.

The blaze erupted around 9 p.m. Thursday along the northern tier of the San Fernando Valley as powerful Santa Ana winds swept through Southern California. Smoke streamed across the city and out to sea.

Terrazas said there were sustained winds of 20-25 mph (32-40 kph) with gusts over 50 mph (80 kph) and relative humidity levels had fallen as low as 3%.

The fire erupted in Sylmar, the northernmost portion of the valley, and spread westward at a rate of 800 acres (324 hectares) an hour into Granada Hills and Porter Ranch, part of a so-called urban-wildland interface where subdivisions crowd against the foothills of the Santa Susana Mountains. The cause wasn't immediately known.

Porter Ranch, an upper middle-class suburb that was the backdrop for the 1982 movie "E.T." is no stranger to evacuations. Four years ago, a blowout at an underground natural gas well operated by Southern California Gas Co. in the neighboring Aliso Canyon storage facility drove 8,000 families from their homes.

Helicopters made repeated water drops as crews in Los Angeles attacked flames in and around homes. Water- and retardant-dropping airplanes joined the battle after daybreak. About 1,000 firefighters were on the lines.

Fire danger is high throughout Southern California after the typically dry summer and early fall, and the notorious Santa Ana winds - linked to the spread of many wildfires - bring a dangerous mix of witheringly low humidity levels and powerful gusts.

***

A spokeswoman for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Southern California says the complex has not been damaged by a nearby wildfire that has grown to more than 970 acres (392 hectares).

The fire erupted before dawn as strong winds hit Ventura County northwest of Los Angeles.

Flames are pushing through sparsely developed hills between suburban tracts. Horses are being evacuated from small ranches.

The brush fire broke out just before dawn Wednesday near the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in the Simi Valley area north of Los Angeles.

Red Cross spokesman Tom Horan says people are confused and scared as they arrived at a shelter set up in a community center in the city of Thousand Oaks, some wearing masks.

They registered with shelter staff amid the banging of cots being set up and food and water being carried inside.

Horan says the shelter can accommodate about 380 evacuees during the day and about 180 overnight. Pets must be kept outside in crates.

***

Strong winds fanned new Southern California wildfires on October 31th, burning homes and forcing residents to flee their homes in a repeat of the frightening scenario already faced by tens of thousands across the state.

The latest blazes erupted in the heavily populated inland region east of Los Angeles as strong, seasonal Santa Ana winds continued to blow with gusts of up to 60 mph (96 kph) predicted to last until the evening before they fade away.

A fast-moving fire spread into the northern neighborhoods of the city of San Bernardino, forcing the evacuation of 490 homes - approximately 1,300 people, the San Bernardino County Fire Department said.

Fire Chief Don Trapp said initial assessment showed that six homes and two outbuildings were destroyed or damaged in the 200-acre (80-hectare) fire.

As winds buffeted the state this week, utilities deliberately cut power to more than a million people to prevent high winds from damaging power lines and sparking wildfires.

Southern California Edison said its safety power cuts still affected about 215,000 people by October 30th and warned that outages were under consideration for about 800,000 people.

Pacific Gas & Electric, which has staged three sweeping blackouts this week, restored power to hundreds of thousands of people Wednesday and expected to have it back for the others sometime October 31th.

The days of windstorms are not unusual for the fall season, which has seen vicious gusts propel a series of deadly and destructive California wildfires in recent years.

***

On October 31th authorities in Ventura County ordered evacuations for about 7,500 people in an area that includes roughly 1,800 buildings as the blaze threatened the small, unincorporated rural community of Somis.

Hundreds of firefighters raced to attack the blaze, which initially was fanned by moderate winds and then was fueled by tinder-dry brush in canyons. Ventura County Fire Chief Mark Lorenzen said more than 400 firefighting personnel were on the job. The fire grew in only a few hours to around 7,400 acres - just over 11 square miles (28 square kilometers) - before midnight.

Ventura County Fire Assistant Chief John McNeil estimated that the fire could reach around 12,000 acres before running out of fuel. Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub said a small drone that appeared to be "looking at photography of the fire" interfered with aerial firefighting efforts.

***

Tourists and Venetians have donned high boots and taken to raised walkways to slosh through the high water that has hit much of the lagoon city.

Venice's tide forecast office said the water level peaked at 1.27 metres (about 4 feet 3 inches) on Novembre 12th but warned that an even higher tide was forecast for after nightfall.

The high water invaded cafes and stores.

As a precaution, authorities closed nursery schools.

San Marco Square, more usually thronged with tourists, was largely deserted.

Many hotels keep disposable knee-high plastic boots handy for tourists.

Venetians' wardrobes often include over-the-knee rubber boots.

Bad weather has dogged Italy lately, with near-daily downpours drenching much of the country.

Meteorologists predicted more heavy rain coming in late Tuesday, especially in the northeast, which includes Venice, as well as in Sicily and elsewhere in the south.

***

A picture taken from the International Space Station shows smoke stretching from the edge of Eastern Australia over the Pacific Ocean.

About 60 fires were burning around New South Wales on the morning of November 13th, with 27 uncontained while being battled by more than 1,000 firefighters, the Rural Fire Service said.

A body was found late on November 13th in a scorched forest near the town of Kempsey in northeast New South Wales, police said.

He is suspected to be a 58-year-old man who lived in a nearby shed and had not been seen since Friday when ferocious wildfires across New South Wales killed three other people and destroyed at least 150 homes.

***

Students in Berlin, Germany marched in support of the global climate strike on November 29th, joining 3,000 protests across the world.

Seventeen-year-old protester, Robin Ebelt said "the generation before us messed it up" and that he wanted to live "for another 60 years."

Fridays for Future activist, Quang Paasch said protesters needed to continue to "take to the streets" to defend the Paris Climate Agreement.

The Fridays for Future protests were originally started by Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg in 2018 who was outraged by the lack of government action on climate change.

The worldwide student climate marches come a few days before the 2019 UN Climate Change Conference, known as COP 25, begins on December 2nd in Madrid.

***

World leaders were arriving on December 2nd for the start of a two-week international climate conference in Madrid that seeks to step up efforts to stop global warming.

The UN is warning that the efforts so far are insufficient to overcome the “point of no return” in climate change.

The summit, which moved to the Spanish capital after Chile had to pull out amid anti-government protests, aims to put the finishing touches to the rules governing the 2015 Paris accord.

That involves creating a functioning international emissions-trading system and compensating poor countries for losses they suffer from rising sea levels and other consequences of climate change.

***

Spain's Energy and Environment Minister Teresa Ribera visited an art installation in Madrid on December 4th, which simulates pollution levels of some of the world's biggest cities.

Ribera and the Director of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health at the World Health Organisation, Maria Neira, walked around the "Pollution Pods" created by British artist Michael Pinsky on the sidelines of the COP25 climate change meeting.

Safe perfume blends and fog machines inside the geodesic domes imitate the air quality of some of the world's most polluted cities - London, Beijing, Sao Paulo, New Delhi - as well as one of the most pristine environments on earth, Tautra in Norway.

Ribera said experiencing the simulated environments was "impressive" and helps understand how pollution affects people's health.

***

Climate activist Greta Thunberg arrived in Madrid on December 6th to join thousands of other young people in a march to demand world leaders take real action against climate change.

Ahead of the march, Thunberg joined a sit-in protest at the conference venue in the Spanish capital.

Madrid is hosting a two-week, United Nations-sponsored talks aimed at streamlining the rules on global carbon markets and agreeing on how poor countries should be compensated for destruction largely caused by emissions from rich nations.

The talks come as scientific evidence mounts about disasters that could ensue from further global warming, including a study commissioned by 14 seafaring nations due to be published Friday that predicts that unchecked climate change could devastate fishery industries and coral reef tourism.

That could cause hundreds of billions of dollars in losses by 2050, says the report, adding that limiting global warming would lessen the economic impact for coastal countries, but that they also need to adapt to ocean changes.

The presence in Madrid of Thunberg was expected to shift the attention to demands for greater action by non-governmental organizations and a whole new generation of environment-minded activists.

Past appearances by the 16-year-old have won her plaudits from some leaders - and criticism from others who’ve taken offence at the angry tone of her speeches.

An advocate for carbon-free transportation, Thunberg travelled by train overnight from the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, where she arrived earlier this week after sailing across the Atlantic Ocean from the United States by catamaran.

That became necessary after a sudden change of venue for the COP25 summit following a wave of anti-government protests that hit Chile, the original host.

***

Climate activist Greta Thunberg said on December 6th that calls for real action against climate change were still being ignored by political leaders, despite their continuous praise of the global environmental youth movement she helped create.

The Swedish teenager was in Madrid, where United Nations-sponsored talks on climate change are underway, to join fellow young climate activists, representatives of Latin America's indigenous peoples and thousands of other protesters.

Before marching, Thunberg said at a press conference that she hoped the COP25 summit would lead to "something concrete" and "increasing awareness among people in general".

Surrounded by three other activists from Spain and Uganda, she added: "The climate crisis is still being ignored by those in power."

The 16-year-old was followed by a swarm of cameras and reporters from the very first step she took out of an overnight train from Lisbon.

The advocate of carbon-free transportation arrived in the Portuguese capital earlier this week after sailing across the Atlantic Ocean from the United States by catamaran.

During the December 2-13 talks, nearly 200 countries are meant to streamline the rules on global carbon markets and agree on how poor countries should be compensated for destruction largely caused by emissions from rich nations.

"We are tired of the praises that you keep giving the activists," she said. "We want you to act."

***

Swedish teen Greta Thunberg joined fellow young climate activists, representatives of Latin America's indigenous peoples, and thousands of other protesters in a climate march on the streets of Madrid on December 6th.

Thunberg was in Madrid, where United Nations-sponsored talks on climate change are underway.

She said that calls for real action against climate change are still being “ignored" by political leaders despite their continuous praise of the global environmental youth movement she helped create.

Amid an overwhelming level of attention from cameras and other protesters she left the march shortly after it began, getting in a red car that she's been using to move around the city.

During the Dec. 2-13 talks, nearly 200 countries are meant to streamline the rules on global carbon markets and agree on how poor countries should be compensated for destruction largely caused by emissions from rich nations.

An official directly involved in the negotiations said that despite a few setbacks, the technical negotiations were progressing, although many issues were being left for ministerial-level meetings in the summit's second and final week.

The official, who asked to remain anonymous given the sensitivity of the discussions, added that a political declaration on greater “ambition" - a buzzword at the summit - was shaping to be “difficult to achieve.”

***

Sweish climate activist Greta Thunberg says she was "very surprised" to be named Time's “person of the year”, despite becoming the figurehead of a global youth movement pressing for faster action climate change.

Leaving a UN climate conference in Madrid, Thunberg told The Associated Press on Wednesday that she wanted to dedicate the award to all young activists.

"I should not be the one to be person of the year, it should be everyone in the Fridays for Future movement because what we have done, we have done together," she told the AP by phone interview.

She is now planning to head home to Sweden for some rest during the holidays.

Thunberg said she was hopeful that the message being pushed by her and other activists - that governments need to drastically increase their efforts to combat climate change - is finally getting through.

***

Marathon international climate talks ended on December 15th with negotiators postponing until next year a key decision on how to regulate global carbon markets.

After two weeks of negotiations in Madrid on tackling global warming, delegates from almost 200 nations passed declarations calling for greater ambition in cutting planet-heating greenhouse gases and in helping poor countries that are suffering the effects of climate change.

But despite holding the longest climate talks ever in 25 nearly annual editions they left one of the thorniest issues for the next summit in Glasgow, in a year's time.

Martin Kaiser of Greenpeace Germany said in the meantime he hoped the European Union's 'Green Deal,' which proposes a net-zero emmisions target by 2050, would be implemented to "set a precedence for other economic regions" of the world.

02:57:20

00:00:00

Climate protests, arrests, in NLands, France, Germany

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Paris - 7 October 2019

1. Members of Extinction Rebellion with flags walking on bridge

2. Pan from riot police to demonstrators, UPSOUND (French) "We are Extinction Rebellion"

00:11:22

Firefighters battle southern California blaze

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Porter Ranch, California - 11 October 2019

3. Various of firefighters spraying water on flames near homes and helicopter dropping water near homes

00:23:22

New wildfire scorches area north of Los Angeles

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Simi Valley, California - 30 October 2019

4. Medium view of smoke blowing across roadway

5. Fire burning along hillside near buildings

6. Fire burning trees and brush

00:35:22

Wildfire east of Los Angeles destroys homes

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

San Bernardino, California - 31 October 2019

7. Various night views of homes burning

8. Dayside views of smoldering remains of a house

00:47:22

Hundreds battle new Southern California wildfire

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Somis, California - 31 October 2019

9. Firefighters spraying fire on mountainside

10. Fire truck next to burning mountainside

11. Fire amid trees, grass

00:59:22

St Mark's Square in Venice flooded

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Restrictions: Part must credit Gaetano Guzzardi; Part must not obscure logo

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Central Venice, Italy - 12 November 2019

12. Wide of San Marco Square flooded

13. Tourists carrying luggage through flood waters

14. Tourist wading through flood waters

15. Various of tourists walking through flooded area

01:15:22

Smoke from Australia fires visible from Space

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NASA

International Space Station - 13 November 2019

16. STILL: smoke from edge of Australia stretches over Pacific Ocean, red dots on picture indicate actively burning fires.

01:20:22

German climate activists rally at Brandenburg Gate

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Berlin - 29 November 2019

17. Various of protesters in front of Brandenburg Gate

01:31:22

Leaders arrive in Madrid as climate summit begins

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Madrid - 2 December 2019

18. New European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arriving

01:37:21

Spanish art installation recreates air pollution

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Madrid - 4 December 2019

19. Spanish Energy and Environment Minister Teresa Ribera (black coat) and Director of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health, at the World Health Organization, Maria Neira (with a scarf) entering cell recreating the air pollution in Beijing

20. Ribera and Neira entering cell recreating the air pollution in New Delhi

21. Banner with COP25 logo and slogan (Spanish) "#TiempoDeActuar" ("Time to act")

01:50:03

Thunberg joins sit-in protest at COP25 summit

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Madrid - 6 December 2019

22. Various of Thunberg joining sit-in protest against the lack of government action to tackle climate change

01:57:24

Thunberg calls for 'real action' on climate change

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Madrid - 6 December 2019

23. SOUNDBITE (English) Greta Thunberg, Swedish climate activist

" The world leaders, the people in power, grasp the urgency of the climate crisis because right now it doesn't seem like they are."

02:10:07

Thousands join Thunberg in Madrid climate march

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Madrid - 6 December 2019

++NIGHT SHOTS++

24. Various top shots of thousands of protesters marching in Madrid near Cibeles Fountain

02:18:07

Thungberg 'very surprised' about Time award

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Location unknown - 11 December 2019

25. SOUNDBITE (English) Greta Thunberg, Swedish climate activist

" I should not be the one to be person of the year, it should be everyone in the Fridays for Future movement because what we have done, we have done together."

02:31:16

Frustration as COP25 ends without carbon deal

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Madrid - 15 December 2019

26. COP25 venue, sign

27. SOUNDBITE (English) Martin Kaiser, Greenpeace Germany:

"US President (Donald) Trump and President (Jair) Bolsonaro from Brazil have undermined these negotiations here and if they are going to continue so next year, we need a different answer from strong economies like the European Union, together with China, together with India, to come up with a new narrative of hope for the young people out there."

SHOTLIST:

1. Mid of women with masks on sifting through ashes of debris of burnt home, pull out

2. Wide of people sifting through debris with masks on

3. Close-up of women with masks on

4. Close-up of debris being sifted

5. Mid of two women walking through fire damaged neighbourhood with masks on

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Christina Durvis, San Diego resident:

"This is the first time we have really looked up close, so I can't really process how I feel about the smoke, because of the visual images. But it smells horrible and I can feel it in my lungs even with my mask."

7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Laurie Norcross, San Diego resident:

"It's bad, it's bad, but it seems like it's not getting much better at this point. It still feels pretty consistent, it's hard to take a deep breath."

8. Mid of doctor showing how smoke affects your lungs

9. Various shots of hospital

10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Dr Timothy Morris, Service chief for pulmonary medicine at UCSD Medical Centre:

"It can make you a little short of breath. It can make you start to cough or even make you start to wheeze. Now for a normal healthy person, that is usually a minor nuisance. For somebody who has a pre-existing lung condition, it can actually be quite dangerous."

11. Mid of men going through debris with masks on

12. Various of men working with masks on sifting through debris of burnt house

STORYLINE:

As the wildfires in the US state of California die down and residents return home, lingering dust and soot-laden air are making it difficult for many to breathe even a sigh of relief.

Air quality remained poor in the central San Bernardino Mountains and parts of the San Bernardino Valley as well as swaths of Orange and Riverside Counties.

In San Diego County, where only one of four major fires was more than 50 percent contained, the air quality was especially bad on Friday.

"It's bad, it's bad," said Laurie Norcross, who was helping to sift through the debris at a friend's burnt out home. "It seems like it's not getting much better at this point, it feels pretty consistent, it's hard to take a deep breath."

Satellite pictures continued to show a thick haze of smoke hanging over the entire region, affecting schools, events and the health of residents all over Southern California.

Residents staying in areas with bad air were advised to avoid exerting themselves both indoors and outside.

Children and those with heart and respiratory conditions were urged to stay indoors with the windows and doors closed and air conditioners on.

One of the biggest health threats with fires are the fine particles that are not visible to the naked eye.

These particles can get into the lungs and make breathing an even greater struggle for people with asthma, bronchitis and emphysema.

Miles from any of the fires, smoke and dust from surrounding areas continued to hang like a heavy fog over the port city of Long Beach, making the sun appear a deep orange.

In San Diego, where fires still raged, the University of California San Diego Medical Centre saw an increase in patients coming in with breathing troubles they believe were related to air pollution, but they didn't have statistics available, said spokeswoman Jackie Carr.

"It can make you a little short of breath," said Dr Timothy Morris, the service chief for pulmonary medicine at UCSD Medical Centre.

"For a normal healthy person, that is usually a minor nuisance, for someone who has a pre-existing lung condition, it can actually be quite dangerous," he added.

Most schools in San Francisco, Sacramento, Oakland and Folsom will be closed Friday as a deadly wildfire in Northern California sends smoke into the Bay Area.

School districts announced the closures Thursday as the region experienced some of the worst air quality since the fire started a week ago about 180 miles (290 kilometers) north of San Francisco.

An Environmental Protection Agency website says the air quality in Sacramento is "hazardous" Thursday and San Francisco's is "very unhealthy." Many people walking around the cities wore face masks.

Several Northern California universities had announced closures earlier Thursday.

The wildfire that started a week ago has killed dozens of people and charred nearly 220 square miles (570 square kilometers).

Smoke masks. Eye drops. No outdoor exercise. This is how Californians are trying to cope with wildfires choking the state, but experts say an increase in serious health problems may be almost inevitable for vulnerable residents as the disasters become more commonplace.

"It just feels very smoky and full of particulates. I'm definitely worried about my son who's breathing this stuff. We've got air filters at home and we're running them at full speed but I'm not sure it's enough to get rid of all the toxic particulates so I'm definitely worried about the health of my family and the city in general," San Francisco resident Daniel Horn said.

Research suggests children, the elderly and those with existing health problems are most at risk.

Short-term exposure to wildfire smoke can worsen existing asthma and lung disease, leading to emergency room treatment or hospitalization, studies have shown.

Increases in doctor visits or hospital treatment for respiratory infections, bronchitis and pneumonia in otherwise healthy people also have been found during and after wildfires.

Some studies also have found increases in ER visits for heart attacks and strokes in people with existing heart disease on heavy smoke days during previous California wildfires, echoing research on potential risks from urban air pollution.

For most healthy people, exposure to wildfire smoke is just an annoyance, causing burning eyes, scratchy throats or chest discomfort that all disappear when the smoke clears.

But doctors, scientists and public health officials are concerned that the changing face of wildfires will pose a much broader health hazard,

In an overview published earlier this year, Cascio wrote that the increasing frequency of large wildland fires, urban expansion into wooded areas and an aging population are all increasing the number of people at risk for health problems from fires.

Wood smoke contains some of the same toxic chemicals as urban air pollution, along with tiny particles of vapor and soot 30 times thinner than a human hair. These can infiltrate the bloodstream, potentially causing inflammation and blood vessel damage even in healthy people, research on urban air pollution has shown. Studies have linked heart attacks and cancer with long-term exposure to air pollution.

Whether exposure to wildfire smoke carries the same risks is uncertain, and determining harm from smog versus wildfire smoke can be tricky, especially with wind-swept California wildfires spreading thick smoke hundreds of miles away into smoggy big cities.

San Francisco - 15 November 2018

1.Two men sit in foreground, barely visible Golden Gate Bridge in background

2. Dogwalker wears masks while six dogs on leashes follow along the beach

3. View of Golden Gate Bridge from smoky Crissy Field

4. Woman wearing mask holds small dog with bridge in background

5. Walking shot of man with dog on Crissy Field beach

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Chloe Allegret, San Francisco resident:

"It's pretty uncomfortable. It's definitely causing shortness of breath, pressure in the sinuses so we're taking it easy."

7. Food delivery workers loading up van while wearing masks

8. Postal worker delivers mail while wearing mask

9. UPS driver wears mask while making delivery

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Daniel Horn, San Francisco resident:

"It just feels very smoky and full of particulates. I'm definitely worried about my son who's breathing this stuff. We've got air filters at home and we're running them at full speed but I'm not sure it's enough to get rid of all the toxic particulates so I'm definitely worried about the health of my family and the city in general."

11. Man walks along city's Embarcadero wearing mask

12. Embarcadero cleaning crew rides by on bicycle while wearing mask

13. Two women sit on park bench wearing masks

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Kylie Garcia, San Francisco resident:

"It sucks for people who are allergic to this stuff. Even me, I'm walking out here and my god, now my throat is feeling raspy. I walk here everyday on my work lunch break. It's crazy. I can't believe it. It's really sad and hopefully they'll be able to stop it. We'll see how long it goes."

15. Fire boat floating on Bay in foreground, Bay Bridge in smog in background

Most schools in San Francisco, Sacramento, Oakland and Folsom will be closed Friday as a deadly wildfire in Northern California sends smoke into the Bay Area.

School districts announced the closures Thursday as the region experienced some of the worst air quality since the fire started a week ago about 180 miles (290 kilometers) north of San Francisco.

An Environmental Protection Agency website says the air quality in Sacramento is "hazardous" Thursday and San Francisco's is "very unhealthy." Many people walking around the cities wore face masks.

Several Northern California universities had announced closures earlier Thursday.

The wildfire that started a week ago has killed dozens of people and charred nearly 220 square miles (570 square kilometers).

Smoke masks. Eye drops. No outdoor exercise. This is how Californians are trying to cope with wildfires choking the state, but experts say an increase in serious health problems may be almost inevitable for vulnerable residents as the disasters become more commonplace.

"It just feels very smoky and full of particulates. I'm definitely worried about my son who's breathing this stuff. We've got air filters at home and we're running them at full speed but I'm not sure it's enough to get rid of all the toxic particulates so I'm definitely worried about the health of my family and the city in general," San Francisco resident Daniel Horn said.

Research suggests children, the elderly and those with existing health problems are most at risk.

Short-term exposure to wildfire smoke can worsen existing asthma and lung disease, leading to emergency room treatment or hospitalization, studies have shown.

Increases in doctor visits or hospital treatment for respiratory infections, bronchitis and pneumonia in otherwise healthy people also have been found during and after wildfires.

Some studies also have found increases in ER visits for heart attacks and strokes in people with existing heart disease on heavy smoke days during previous California wildfires, echoing research on potential risks from urban air pollution.

For most healthy people, exposure to wildfire smoke is just an annoyance, causing burning eyes, scratchy throats or chest discomfort that all disappear when the smoke clears.

But doctors, scientists and public health officials are concerned that the changing face of wildfires will pose a much broader health hazard,

In an overview published earlier this year, Cascio wrote that the increasing frequency of large wildland fires, urban expansion into wooded areas and an aging population are all increasing the number of people at risk for health problems from fires.

Wood smoke contains some of the same toxic chemicals as urban air pollution, along with tiny particles of vapor and soot 30 times thinner than a human hair. These can infiltrate the bloodstream, potentially causing inflammation and blood vessel damage even in healthy people, research on urban air pollution has shown. Studies have linked heart attacks and cancer with long-term exposure to air pollution.

Whether exposure to wildfire smoke carries the same risks is uncertain, and determining harm from smog versus wildfire smoke can be tricky, especially with wind-swept California wildfires spreading thick smoke hundreds of miles away into smoggy big cities.

San Francisco - 15 November 2018

1. Two men sit in foreground, barely visible Golden Gate Bridge in background

2. Dogwalker wears masks while six dogs on leashes follow along the beach

3. View of Golden Gate Bridge from smoky Crissy Field

4. Woman wearing mask holds small dog with bridge in background

5. Walking shot of man with dog on Crissy Field beach

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Chloe Allegret, San Francisco resident:

"It's pretty uncomfortable. It's definitely causing shortness of breath, pressure in the sinuses so we're taking it easy."

7. Food delivery workers loading up van while wearing masks

8. Postal worker delivers mail while wearing mask

9. UPS driver wears mask while making delivery

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Daniel Horn, San Francisco resident:

"It just feels very smoky and full of particulates. I'm definitely worried about my son who's breathing this stuff. We've got air filters at home and we're running them at full speed but I'm not sure it's enough to get rid of all the toxic particulates so I'm definitely worried about the health of my family and the city in general."

11. Man walks along city's Embarcadero wearing mask

12. Embarcadero cleaning crew rides by on bicycle while wearing mask

13. Two women sit on park bench wearing masks

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Kylie Garcia, San Francisco resident:

"It sucks for people who are allergic to this stuff. Even me, I'm walking out here and my god, now my throat is feeling raspy. I walk here everyday on my work lunch break. It's crazy. I can't believe it. It's really sad and hopefully they'll be able to stop it. We'll see how long it goes."

15. Fire boat floating on Bay in foreground, Bay Bridge in smog in background

Most schools in San Francisco, Sacramento, Oakland and Folsom will be closed Friday as a deadly wildfire in Northern California sends smoke into the Bay Area.

School districts announced the closures Thursday as the region experienced some of the worst air quality since the fire started a week ago about 180 miles (290 kilometers) north of San Francisco.

An Environmental Protection Agency website says the air quality in Sacramento is "hazardous" Thursday and San Francisco's is "very unhealthy." Many people walking around the cities wore face masks.

Several Northern California universities had announced closures earlier Thursday.

The wildfire that started a week ago has killed dozens of people and charred nearly 220 square miles (570 square kilometers).

Smoke masks. Eye drops. No outdoor exercise. This is how Californians are trying to cope with wildfires choking the state, but experts say an increase in serious health problems may be almost inevitable for vulnerable residents as the disasters become more commonplace.

"It just feels very smoky and full of particulates. I'm definitely worried about my son who's breathing this stuff. We've got air filters at home and we're running them at full speed but I'm not sure it's enough to get rid of all the toxic particulates so I'm definitely worried about the health of my family and the city in general," San Francisco resident Daniel Horn said.

Research suggests children, the elderly and those with existing health problems are most at risk.

Short-term exposure to wildfire smoke can worsen existing asthma and lung disease, leading to emergency room treatment or hospitalization, studies have shown.

Increases in doctor visits or hospital treatment for respiratory infections, bronchitis and pneumonia in otherwise healthy people also have been found during and after wildfires.

Some studies also have found increases in ER visits for heart attacks and strokes in people with existing heart disease on heavy smoke days during previous California wildfires, echoing research on potential risks from urban air pollution.

For most healthy people, exposure to wildfire smoke is just an annoyance, causing burning eyes, scratchy throats or chest discomfort that all disappear when the smoke clears.

But doctors, scientists and public health officials are concerned that the changing face of wildfires will pose a much broader health hazard,

In an overview published earlier this year, Cascio wrote that the increasing frequency of large wildland fires, urban expansion into wooded areas and an aging population are all increasing the number of people at risk for health problems from fires.

Wood smoke contains some of the same toxic chemicals as urban air pollution, along with tiny particles of vapor and soot 30 times thinner than a human hair. These can infiltrate the bloodstream, potentially causing inflammation and blood vessel damage even in healthy people, research on urban air pollution has shown. Studies have linked heart attacks and cancer with long-term exposure to air pollution.

Whether exposure to wildfire smoke carries the same risks is uncertain, and determining harm from smog versus wildfire smoke can be tricky, especially with wind-swept California wildfires spreading thick smoke hundreds of miles away into smoggy big cities.

San Francisco - 15 November 2018

1.Two men sit in foreground, barely visible Golden Gate Bridge in background

2. Dogwalker wears masks while six dogs on leashes follow along the beach

3. View of Golden Gate Bridge from smoky Crissy Field

4. Woman wearing mask holds small dog with bridge in background

5. Walking shot of man with dog on Crissy Field beach

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Chloe Allegret, San Francisco resident:

"It's pretty uncomfortable. It's definitely causing shortness of breath, pressure in the sinuses so we're taking it easy."

7. Food delivery workers loading up van while wearing masks

8. Postal worker delivers mail while wearing mask

9. UPS driver wears mask while making delivery

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Daniel Horn, San Francisco resident:

"It just feels very smoky and full of particulates. I'm definitely worried about my son who's breathing this stuff. We've got air filters at home and we're running them at full speed but I'm not sure it's enough to get rid of all the toxic particulates so I'm definitely worried about the health of my family and the city in general."

11. Man walks along city's Embarcadero wearing mask

12. Embarcadero cleaning crew rides by on bicycle while wearing mask

13. Two women sit on park bench wearing masks

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Kylie Garcia, San Francisco resident:

"It sucks for people who are allergic to this stuff. Even me, I'm walking out here and my god, now my throat is feeling raspy. I walk here everyday on my work lunch break. It's crazy. I can't believe it. It's really sad and hopefully they'll be able to stop it. We'll see how long it goes."

15. Fire boat floating on Bay in foreground, Bay Bridge in smog in background

SHOTLIST:

Lake City, Florida

1. Wide shot of trees on fire

2. Firefighter moving burnt branches, as surrounding area smoulders

3. Pan across bush area to firefighters hosing burnt area with water

4. Firefighter in foreground as bush burns

5. Bush burning

6. Helicopter carrying water flying

7. Firefighters lined up on side of road

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Richard Dolan, Baker County Fire Chief:

"As far as the stress levels for my fire department is concerned, it's high. They're getting exhausted. They're getting tired."

9. Various of smoke and the city streets

10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Ken Disbrow, evacuee:

"Everything I own is there, so I've got a lot to lose."

11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Vox Pop, evacuee:

"We live 18 miles (29 kilometres) out on a farm. So we had to leave the animals."

12. Wide shot of firetrucks in midst of smoke-filled air

13. Smoke covering city

Miami, Florida

14. SOUNDBITE: (English) Dr. Tahir Ahmed, Pulmanologist, Mt. Sinai Hospital:

"The dust causes problems, you do get a lot of calls and patients with severe diseases end up in emergency rooms."

Lake City, Florida

15. Police cars on road obscured by smoke

16. Cars driving through thick smoke

17. Sign saying road 441 closed (due to accident)

18. Emergency services on road

19. SOUNDBITE: (English) Colonel Chris White, Florida Highway Patrol:

"We have had several traffic crashes, traffic accidents that have involved injuries."

20. Various of burned-out remains of a home

21. Burnt trees

Lake City, Florida

22. Plane dropping anti-fire material onto forest

23 View of city and smoke

Catalina Island, California

24. Wideshot of town of Avalon showing harbour

25. Avalon houses overlooking harbour

26. Medium shot of ferry arriving

27. Wideshot of ferry docking

28. Close-up of ferry

29. Wide shot of passengers disembarking

30. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bruce Wright, resident

"I haven't slept in a couple of days. I'm a little worried. I'm one of the highest buildings on the hill so if the fire got anybody it got me pretty good, so I'm a little worried."

31. Close up of sign (English): 'Thank you firefighters'.

32. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bruce Wright, resident:

"I've just, thank God they (firefighters) were here, an amazing group of people. I think they saved the city because when I left Thursday night the flames were rolling down the hillside as fast as could be. It was extremely scary."

33. Wide shot of residents leaving ferry returning to Avalon.

STORYLINE:

Wildfires were raging in Florida in the United States on Saturday, burning thousands of acres of forest and forcing people to leave their homes.

Firefighters have been battling two gigantic fires.

Officials said that the first wildfire, that raced through the Okefenokee Swamp in southeast Georgia and into northern Florida, has charred nearly 300 square miles since a lightning strike ignited it a week ago.

The other fire began more than three weeks ago after a tree fell on power lines.

That fire has burned nearly 124-thousand acres of swampland and forest in Georgia and windy conditions are fuelling blazes in every corner of the state.

The hundreds of firefighters battling the blaze in Northern Florida have battled the blaze for six days and the fire is still out of control.

Richard Dolan, Baker County Fire Chief said his fire department is very stressed and exhausted.

About 500 people were evacuated from their homes in Lake City Saturday.

"Everything I own is there so I've got a lot to lose." said Ken Disbrow one evacuee.

Firefighters say it seems like every time they extinguish one fire, another one pops up in its place.

Hampering the crews is thick smog, which is forming as smoke meets rising humidity levels, and is causing concerns over people's ability to breathe.

Officials said the smog is enveloping roads and making safe driving difficult, forcing officials to shut down parts of major interstates.

Officials are blaming smoke from wildfires for at least four highway accidents.

The largest accident appeared to be a five-car crash that occurred on the interchange between the two highways that is northwest of Lake City.

Haze from the fires had travelled more than 300 miles (482 kilometres) to the Miami area.

Officials said the fire has burned to within about six miles (almost 10 kilometres) north of Interstate 10, where heavy smoke blanketed the area and visibility on the highway was reduced to about a quarter of mile.

In north Florida, about 600 families were still unable to return home Saturday morning, said Jim Harrell, of the Florida Division of Forestry.

Meanwhile residents of an island off the southern California coast in the US have begun returning to their homes after firefighters and favourable weather halted a wildfire's advance onto the island's most populated area.

Nearly four thousand evacuated residents in Avalon on Catalina Island began heading back to inspect their homes and apartments and reopen businesses that largely cater to tourists.

Ferry's arrived from Long Beach with weary residents, some who had hardly slept in days, anxious to see that all is well.

Avalon resident Bruce Wright who returned by ferry to Catalina on Saturday said he hadn't "slept in a couple of days" and that he was worried about his home, which is on one of the highest buildings on the hill.

Wright described Thursday's evacuation as "extremely scary".

The cause of the fire, which erupted on Thursday afternoon in the 76-square-mile island's rugged interior, had not yet been determined.

Keyword-fire- wildfires

A dense smoke layer from dozens of raging wildfires is darkening the skies and fouling the air along much of the West Coast.

And it's expected to hover in the region at least through the weekend.

Dr. Afif El-Hasan is an American Lung Association spokesman who also an expert in pediatric asthma and lung at Kaiser Permanente in California. He says the wildfire pollution can leave people more susceptible to viruses, like the flu and COVID-19.

"These particles in the air, the pollution, it weakens the lungs' defenses, because it irritates the lungs," he said. "We have increased secretions in our lungs, in our upper airways. It can make it easier to get ill from a virus or other type of infection."

Eerie orange and red skies across California, Oregon and Washington had mainly turned gray thanks to stronger winds coming in from the Pacific Ocean that helped to disperse thick smoke that acted as a filter scattering blue light and only allowed yellow, orange and red light to reach the ground.

But as the wind scattered the smoke and a layer of air blocking it from reaching the ground started dissipating Thursday, smoke particles began mixing with ground-level air worsening air quality in much of California and parts of Oregon where wildfires are raging.

Satellite photos Thursday showed a towering band of smoke hovering along the Pacific coast.

Air quality warnings also were issued throughout the Pacific Northwest, and people in communities from southern Oregon to north of Seattle reported hazy skies and choking smoke.

Oroville, California – 9 September 2020

1.Orange haze over bridge

2. Orange haze over trees with car driving by

Berry Creek, California – 9 September 2020

3. Orange haze with fire in background, with burned items near foreground

++ZOOM CALL. VIDEO AND AUDIO QUALITY AS INCOMING++

San Juan Capistrano, California – 11 September 2020

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Dr. Afif El-Hasan, American Lung Association spokesman:

"The wildfires have actually caused a significant problem, we've, especially in all parts of California, Oregon, Washington, have all been impacted."

Berry Creek, California – 9 September 2020

5. Orange haze with fire in background, with burned items near foreground

++ZOOM CALL. VIDEO AND AUDIO QUALITY AS INCOMING++

San Juan Capistrano, California – 11 September 2020

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Dr. Afif El-Hasan, American Lung Association spokesman:

"These particles in the air, the pollution, it weakens the lungs' defenses, because it irritates the lungs. We have increased secretions in our lungs, in our upper airways. It can make it easier to get ill from a virus or other type of infection."

Shaver Lake, California _ 8 September 2020

7. Fire and trees

++ZOOM CALL. VIDEO AND AUDIO QUALITY AS INCOMING++

San Juan Capistrano, California – 11 September 2020

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Dr. Afif El-Hasan, American Lung Association spokesman:

"So even healthy people are going to have possible problems from coughing, increased nasal secretions, problems breathing."

Shaver Lake, California -- 8 September 2020

9. Tree with smoke

10. Fire and trees

++ZOOM CALL. VIDEO AND AUDIO QUALITY AS INCOMING++

San Juan Capistrano, California – 11 September 2020

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Dr. Afif El-Hasan, American Lung Association spokesman:

"This is also an increased risk to people who have chronic health problems. So if someone's an asthmatic, someone has other chronic lung disease and heart disease, the increased air pollution can be a problem for them as well."

Oroville, California – 9 September 2020

12. Moving shot of street and smoke

++ZOOM CALL. VIDEO AND AUDIO QUALITY AS INCOMING++

San Juan Capistrano, California – 11 September 2020

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Dr. Afif El-Hasan, American Lung Association spokesman:

"Stay indoors as much as you can. I'm a big supporter of air filters, especially if someone has asthma or other chronic lung or heart disease. They should try to do everything they can to keep the air in their houses as clean as possible."

Berry Creek, California – 9 September 2020

14. Pan of orange air, burned area

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4287664

A dense smoke layer from dozens of raging wildfires is darkening the skies and fouling the air along much of the West Coast.

And it's expected to hover in the region at least through the weekend.

Dr. Afif El-Hasan is an American Lung Association spokesman who is also an expert in pediatric asthma and lung issues at Kaiser Permanente in California. He says the wildfire pollution can leave people more susceptible to viruses, like the flu and COVID-19.

"These particles in the air, the pollution, it weakens the lungs' defenses, because it irritates the lungs," he said. "We have increased secretions in our lungs, in our upper airways. It can make it easier to get ill from a virus or other type of infection."

Eerie orange and red skies across California, Oregon and Washington had mainly turned gray thanks to stronger winds coming in from the Pacific Ocean that helped to disperse thick smoke that acted as a filter scattering blue light and only allowed yellow, orange and red light to reach the ground.

But as the wind scattered the smoke and a layer of air blocking it from reaching the ground started dissipating Thursday, smoke particles began mixing with ground-level air worsening air quality in much of California and parts of Oregon where wildfires are raging.

Satellite photos Thursday showed a towering band of smoke hovering along the Pacific coast.

Air quality warnings also were issued throughout the Pacific Northwest, and people in communities from southern Oregon to north of Seattle reported hazy skies and choking smoke.

Oroville, California – 9 September 2020

1.Orange haze over bridge

2. Orange haze over trees with car driving by

++ZOOM CALL. VIDEO AND AUDIO QUALITY AS INCOMING++

San Juan Capistrano, California – 11 September 2020

++PARTIALLY COVERED ++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Dr. Afif El-Hasan, American Lung Association spokesman:

"The wildfires have actually caused a significant problem, we've, especially in all parts of California, Oregon, Washington, have all been impacted."

Berry Creek, California – 9 September 2020

4. Orange haze with fire in background, with burned items near foreground

++ZOOM CALL. VIDEO AND AUDIO QUALITY AS INCOMING++

San Juan Capistrano, California – 11 September 2020

++PARTIALLY COVERED ++

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Dr. Afif El-Hasan, American Lung Association spokesman:

"These particles in the air, the pollution, it weakens the lungs' defenses, because it irritates our  lungs. We have increased secretions in our lungs, in our upper airways. It can make it easier to get ill from a virus or other type of infection."

Oroville, California – 9 September 2020

6. Fire along road

7. Moving shot of street and smoke

++ZOOM CALL. VIDEO AND AUDIO QUALITY AS INCOMING++

San Juan Capistrano, California – 11 September 2020

++PARTIALLY COVERED ++

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Dr. Afif El-Hasan, American Lung Association spokesman:

"This is also an increased risk to people who have chronic health problems. So if someone's an asthmatic, someone has other chronic lung disease and heart disease, the increased air pollution can be a problem for them as well."

Shaver Lake, California _ 8 September 2020

10. Fire and trees

11. Tree with smoke

12. Fire

Berry Creek, California – 9 September 2020

13. Pan of orange air, burned area

SHOTLIST:

La Canada Flintridge

1. Mid of fire fighters battling blaze near house

2. Pan from flames to fire fighters battling flames with water hose

3. Close of fire fighter using water hose

4. Close of flames

5. Wide of house, pan to fire fighter battling blaze

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) David Jensen, home owner:

"I used to live on the other side of the town and I had a fire come close, but never this close. This, they said, is going to burn right to the wall of our house and they're going to hit it right at the last minute."

7. Various of blaze

8. Rear shot of fire fighters looking at flames

9. Various of fire fighters meeting

10. Pan of fire fighter looking at smoke, talking to colleagues

11. Rear shot of fire fighter looking at smoke

12. Wide of smoke near house

13. Wide of fire engine

14. Fire fighter talking to residents

15. SOUNDBITE: (English) David Endaya, Fire Captain, Ventura City Fire Department:

"I reported to duty yesterday morning in the city of Ventura at 7 a.m. (14:00 GMT), and now it's coming up on nine, ten o'clock (16:00/17:00 GMT) the next morning so we've been on since yesterday at 7 a.m. (14:00 GMT)."

(Question: Anything else you'd like to add?)

"No, we're just glad to be here. We realise a person's home is their life and with lives and property to protect and we're glad to come out here and help when these large incidents occur."

La Crescenta

16. Pan of children and local residents inside Red Cross shelter

17. Mid of women inside shelter

18. SOUNDBITE: (English) Susan D'Amaro, resident:

"The fire was out of control, they were worried about where it was going to go, it was a little bit unpredictable so they wanted to clear everyone out of the area."

19. Mid of people inside shelter

STORYLINE:

Wildfire threatened 12-thousand suburban homes and rained ash on cars as far away as downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, spreading in all directions in hot, dry conditions.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger urged those in the fire's path to listen to authorities and get out.

Firefighters trained their attention on the blaze's fast-moving northern front as more evacuations were ordered in the Los Angeles suburbs.

A massive plume of smoke could be seen for miles and bits of ash descended on cars as far away as downtown Los Angeles.

For the third straight day, humidity was very low and temperatures were expected in the high 90s (high 30s Celsius).

Some two-thousand firefighters were battling the blaze.

The regional air quality agency issued a smoke advisory, warning all residents who live near the wildfire to remain indoors and avoid strenuous activity.

Officials said air quality in the foothill communities around La Canada Flintridge was unhealthy, bordering on hazardous.

People with heart or lung conditions, including asthma, were asked to consider leaving the area.

In La Canada Flintridge, fire fighters were battling the blaze raging near homes.

Local resident David Jensen, whose house was dangerously close to the flames, said he had never experienced a fire coming so close to the perimeter of his property.

In the community of La Crescenta, were a mandatory evacuation was in place, residents took refuge in a temporary shelter, set up by the Red Cross.

"The fire was out of control, they were worried about where it was going to go, it was a little bit unpredictable so they wanted to clear everyone out of the area," one woman said.

The blaze was only about five percent contained on Sunday and had scorched 55 square miles (142 square kilometres) in the Angeles National Forest.

Firefighters were hoping to keep the blaze from spreading up Mount Wilson, where many of the region's broadcast and communications antennas and a historic observatory are located.

Flames were within two miles (about three kilometres) of the towers on Sunday, fire officials said.

The fire had travelled six to eight miles (10 to 13 kilometres) overnight, burning as actively during the night as it did during the day, said a Forest Service Captain.

The fire, which broke out on Wednesday afternoon, was the largest and most dangerous of several burning around southern and central California and in Yosemite National Park.