Fire And Ice: Videos Show Destructive CA Wildfires, Dakota Blizzard

Big California wildfires yesterday destroyed dozens of homes and
killed two people.

I was hoping, against reality actually, that maybe California would escape destructive wildfires for once this year.

As we've seen on the news, that wasn't to be. Wildfires yesterday killed two Californians, destroyed probably a few dozen homes and forced 23,000 people to evacuate.

It's not over yet, but winds are forecast to decrease, which might give firefighters the upper hand with these blazes. 

Some videos.

Dramatic overview from ABC News



The second half of this video is especially scary with flames, tons of embers and strong winds blasting through a southern California neighborhood:



Meanwhile, an incredible blizzard for this time of year hit North Dakota and southern Manitoba, Canada.

More than two feet of snow has piled up in some spots. Winds have gusted to 60 mph, causing huge drifts and closing highways.

As CBC reports, leaves were still on trees, so the heavy, wet snow has caused lots of damage to those trees. It'll take a long time to pick this mess up. Worse, wheat hasn't been harvested yet, so those crops are lost.

This view, I think in Winnipeg, Canada shows the effects of snow when leaves are on the trees. The trees that had already lost their leaves seem to be weathering the storm well. Trees with leaves, not so much:



Here's an entertaining video narrated by a North Dakota gentleman who regrettably left his 30-pack of Busch Light beer in his picking truck in the midst of yesterday's blizzard.  Yeah, I don't know how he can even stand drinking that icky stuff, but whatever.

We still get to see the midwinter like, very windy and snowy conditions as he retrieves his prize. Remember, this is October: