California wildfires: Smoke seen billowing across state in satellite footage

Satellite footage shows smoke from California wildfires spreading as far as Pacific Ocean

Smoke from wildfires across California can be seen in satellite footage spreading out over the Pacific Ocean and as far as the state of Montana.

Hundreds of fires were burning across California, including 23 major fires or groups of fires that governor Gavin Newsom blamed on “extraordinary weather“ and “all of these lightning strikes”.

He said the state has recorded nearly 11,000 lightning strikes in 72 hours and knows of 367 fires.

The LNU Lightning Complex is made up of several fires in five counties north of San Francisco, including in Vacaville, a city of about 100,000 people between San Francisco and Sacramento.

Satellite footage released by NOAA shows smoke generated by the fires between 18 and 19 August.