At least 6 dead from massive California wildfire, community turns to volunteer firefighters

The Northern California wildfires have taken a deadly turn.

August 21, 2020, 3:10 PM

The fires in California are growing and now at least six people have been killed and two more are missing, according to local authorities.

More than two dozen major fires are scorching across the state after an unprecedented storm resulted in nearly 11,000 lightning strikes over 72 hours earlier this week.

PHOTO: Cal Fire firefighter Anthony Quiroz carries a hose as he defends a home during the CZU Lightning Complex Fire in Boulder Creek, Calif. Aug. 21, 2020.
Cal Fire firefighter Anthony Quiroz carries a hose as he defends a home during the CZU Lightning Complex Fire in Boulder Creek, Calif. Aug. 21, 2020.
Stephen Lam/Reuters

In just three days, the flames have scorched over 560,000 acres and have forced tens of thousands of residents to evacuate. At least 175 homes have been destroyed.

More than 10,000 firefighters are on the frontlines, but fire officials say their resources are waning as many firefighters work overtime.

PHOTO: Cal Fire firefighter Anthony Quiroz douses water on a flame as he defends a home during the CZU Lightning Complex Fire in Boulder Creek, Calif., Aug. 21, 2020.
Cal Fire firefighter Anthony Quiroz douses water on a flame as he defends a home during the CZU Lightning Complex Fire in Boulder Creek, Calif., Aug. 21, 2020.
Stephen Lam/Reuters

As of Friday morning, the LNU Lightning Complex fires in Napa County had burned over 21,000 acres and are only 7% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

With a lack of firefighters available to put out the growing inferno, private citizens have taken matters into their own hands. In Napa County, residents formed a renegade fire brigade, using their own hoses and chainsaws to help save a neighbor's home.

"This is a community. This isn't the first fire, so yes of course, I know that everybody pitches in and it doesn't matter whether it's your property or not," Flynn McDonald, a Napa County resident, told ABC News.

However, officials are warning against residents forming their own fire brigades, saying that it could endanger people's lives.

For residents still stuck in the aftermath of the fire zone, however, conditions are exacerbated by power outages, a grueling heat wave and poor air quality from the smoke.

California Gov. Gavin Newson appeared at the Democratic National Convention Thursday night to address the state's devastating wildfires.

"The hots are getting hotter. The dries are getting drier. Climate change is real," said Newsom, who video called from a cellphone about a mile away from one of the blazes. "If you are in denial about climate change, come to California."

ABC News' Clayton Sandell and Bill Hutchinson contributed to this report.

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