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| Valley Fire: Thousands flee California blazes | Valley Fire: Thousands flee California blazes |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Thousands of residents have fled their homes in northern California as some 5,000 firefighters tackle wildfires. | Thousands of residents have fled their homes in northern California as some 5,000 firefighters tackle wildfires. |
| One blaze, the Valley Fire, which started on Saturday in Lake County, north of San Francisco, has already burned 40,000 acres (16,190 hectares). | One blaze, the Valley Fire, which started on Saturday in Lake County, north of San Francisco, has already burned 40,000 acres (16,190 hectares). |
| Four firefighters were injured and had to be airlifted to hospital, where they are said to be in a stable condition. | Four firefighters were injured and had to be airlifted to hospital, where they are said to be in a stable condition. |
| The fires across northern California are being blamed on high temperatures and years of drought. | The fires across northern California are being blamed on high temperatures and years of drought. |
| The state spent $212m (£137m) fighting the flames in July alone, California's forestry and fire protection department spokesman Daniel Berlant told the AFP news agency. | The state spent $212m (£137m) fighting the flames in July alone, California's forestry and fire protection department spokesman Daniel Berlant told the AFP news agency. |
| He said more than 275 homes and other buildings had been destroyed and the Red Cross is opening emergency shelters for evacuated residents. | He said more than 275 homes and other buildings had been destroyed and the Red Cross is opening emergency shelters for evacuated residents. |
| The small town of Middletown looked to be under threat from the Valley Fire on Sunday. Its 1,500 residents had already been ordered to evacuate. | |
| Local media reported that the much of the town centre was ablaze. | Local media reported that the much of the town centre was ablaze. |
| The fire spread quickly and witnesses saw flames reach up to 200ft (60m) in the air, the local Press Democrat newspaper reports. | The fire spread quickly and witnesses saw flames reach up to 200ft (60m) in the air, the local Press Democrat newspaper reports. |
| Further east, in Amador and Calaveras counties, around 4,000 firefighters are battling the Butte Fire, which broke out on Wednesday. | Further east, in Amador and Calaveras counties, around 4,000 firefighters are battling the Butte Fire, which broke out on Wednesday. |
| That blaze has so far destroyed around 65,000 acres (26,300 hectares) along with 86 homes and 51 outbuildings. It is only 15% contained and threatens more than 6,000 other buildings, officials say. | That blaze has so far destroyed around 65,000 acres (26,300 hectares) along with 86 homes and 51 outbuildings. It is only 15% contained and threatens more than 6,000 other buildings, officials say. |
| Further south, beyond Fresno, firefighters have been tackling the largest of the blazes, the so-called Rough Fire, which has claimed 128,800 acres (52,000 hectares) since it began in late July. | Further south, beyond Fresno, firefighters have been tackling the largest of the blazes, the so-called Rough Fire, which has claimed 128,800 acres (52,000 hectares) since it began in late July. |
| Nearly 3,000 firefighters are tackling that blaze, which is now said to be 29% contained. | Nearly 3,000 firefighters are tackling that blaze, which is now said to be 29% contained. |
| They have evacuated the Kings Canyon National Park and working to protect the park's famous grove of Giant Sequoia trees. | They have evacuated the Kings Canyon National Park and working to protect the park's famous grove of Giant Sequoia trees. |
| Are you in northern California? Are you affected by the wildfires? If it is safe to do so, please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences. | |
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