Fred Greaves/Reuters
Millions of people across California are bracing for an apocalyptic battle with Mother Nature over the coming days as a tropical storm threatens to add intense moisture to the already devastating mix of excessive heat and raging wildfires, sparked by historic drought conditions, in many parts of the state.
The record heat has put extraordinary pressure on the state’s electric-power grid as people try to cool off, causing utilities to call for voluntary cuts in service to make sure there is enough juice for fundamental infrastructure.
Now new wildfires have produced thick clouds of smoke, which have started to compromise the solar power grid by blocking sunlight. Two blazes—the Fairview Fire in Southern California and the Mosquito Fire in the Sierra—have been particularly challenging to contain. Thousands of people have been evacuated and at least two people have died while trying to escape.