'Extreme' fires in Southern California devour Murdoch’s estate
High winds and dry conditions are fueling four separate brushfires in Los Angeles, California. Tens of thousands of acres of land and 150 homes have burned down so far. Among the casualties was media mogul Rupert Murdoch’s estate.
The affluent neighborhood of Bel Air fell victim to the Skirball fire. The flames consumed half a dozen properties, including the $28 million estate owned by the 21st Century Fox executive chairman. The 13-acre Moraga Vineyard is “the only commercial vineyard in Los Angeles,” according to NBC.
🙏 Praying for everyone affected by the wildfires in California. Such an awful sight to behold, even from Tennessee. #prayingforcalifornia#CAwildfires#wildfirespic.twitter.com/Jf7K8go6sf
— Chase Tramel (@ChaseTramel1) December 7, 2017
The destruction of Murdoch’s home prompted a flurry of snide tweets critical of the Fox News executive and his stance on climate change.
NBC Los Angeles reporting Fox News chief Rupert Murdoch’s $30-million vineyard estate is on fire. https://t.co/2P1Lw905Qlpic.twitter.com/QGWG9vIpzH
— Andrew Kirell (@AndrewKirell) December 6, 2017
When you want the #SkirballFire to end but then find out it's gonna burn down Rupert Murdoch's house: pic.twitter.com/y2OIkNjBdT
— Tuxedo Mask (@TheLoveBel0w) December 6, 2017
I know that it's very wrong of me to think what I'm thinking https://t.co/3HfDAwiZ68
— Bill McKibben (@billmckibben) December 6, 2017
fortunately for rupert murdoch, climate change is a myth https://t.co/gOdbeuVooQ
— Ashley Feinberg (@ashleyfeinberg) December 6, 2017
NBC4 just reported that Rupert Murdoch's home is on fire. The property is a $30 million vineyard and mansion: https://t.co/jbNqxf5AbS
— Shaya Tayefe Mohajer (@Shaya_in_LA) December 6, 2017
The fire also threatened properties belonging to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and pop superstar Beyonce.
“Purple” alerts were called for LA-Venture County, Orange County-Inland Empire and San Diego, while a “marginal” alert was issued for Santa Barbara. An extreme alert means that fires have extreme growth, will burn very intensely and will be uncontrollable.
#SantaAnaWinds continuarán elevando el peligro de incendios en el sur de California el jueves.¡Prepárate para escapar del peligro! Obten más información acerca de qué llevar contigo si eres evacuado! https://t.co/ptf4e5Ye9Upic.twitter.com/q8COnFlkki
— CAL FIRE PIO (@CALFIRE_PIO) December 7, 2017
The fire department said there was no way to contain the fires right now and that they will continue to burn through Saturday.
Links to a couple nice web viewers that provide information on the areas impacted by the recent wildfires in Southern CA. These viewers are courtesy of #Esri and the #USGS. #CAwx#CAwildfires#LAweatherhttps://t.co/DNloxk2nzehttps://t.co/iz3vHkwJv7pic.twitter.com/16YZGnYm48
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) December 6, 2017
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said more than 230,000 people have been forced from their homes in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Around 260 public and charter schools were closed on Thursday and will remain closed on Friday.
