Rocky Fire Brings Widespread Evacuations to California Residents

The recent Rocky Fire in California has caused widespread evacuations, with thousands of residents forced to leave their homes due to the rapid spread of the blaze. The fire, which began on Sunday evening, has burned over 1,000 acres and is still growing.

According to Brad Alexander, chief spokesman for the governor's emergency services office, the area affected by the fire is quite large. 'They've got chaparral that is over 6 feet tall,' he said. 'The big issue is this is an area that hasn't had burning in several decades.'

Vicki Estrella, a resident of Spring Valley, has been evacuated from her home for several days now. She is worried about the safety of her llamas, chickens, and cats, which she was forced to leave behind when she evacuated on Sunday night.

'My husband left to see if he could get back to our house to check on them,' Estrella said. 'I'm mostly worried about the llamas - the oldest one, Cuzco, likes to knock over the water trough so he can roll in the mud.'

Estrella is currently waiting to hear from her husband and is staying at a Red Cross shelter with nearly three dozen other evacuees. Law enforcement agencies have gone door-to-door and sent evacuation requests and orders over the radio, television, and social media.

Evacuation centers were set up at two schools in the affected area, and two state highways were closed to serve as fire breaks where crews started backfires. Despite the efforts of firefighters, the fire continues to spread, and residents are being advised to stay away from the area until it is declared safe.

The Rocky Fire is a reminder that wildfires can occur anywhere, at any time, and it's crucial for residents to be prepared and follow evacuation orders if necessary.

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