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California wildfires: Hundreds evacuated as flames spread California wildfires: Thousands evacuated as flames spread
(1 day later)
Wildfires in California are quickly spreading, forcing hundreds of people to be evacuated, officials say. Wildfires in California are still uncontained, forcing thousands of people to be evacuated, officials say.
A combination of high temperatures and parched land has added to the difficulties of firefighters.A combination of high temperatures and parched land has added to the difficulties of firefighters.
About 17 fires fanned by strong winds are raging across the length and breadth of the US state, all in different stages of containment. About 14 fires fanned by strong winds have raged across the length and breadth of the US state, all in different stages of containment.
The fires are especially bad in Santa Barbara County where one is spanning an area of more than 35 sq mi (93 sq km). The fires are especially bad in Santa Barbara County where one is spanning an area of more than 45 sq mi (116 sq km).
Thousands of firefighters have been deployed, from the Six Rivers National Forest in the north to the San Bernardino Forest east of Los Angeles. Several injuries have been reported and numerous homes destroyed. Slightly cooler temperatures on Monday are giving officials hope that they will make progress on containing the fires.
Forecasters have warned that temperatures are likely to remain high with the elderly and children in particular danger. Nearly 4,000 people were ordered to urgently evacuate from the area north of Sacramento on Sunday night, but fire crews say that if winds stay low, they may be able to return later on Monday.
Air quality is reported to be noticeably poorer in areas inland from Los Angeles. Another 3,500 people remain under evacuation orders in the southern part of the state, in Santa Barbara county.
California is regularly hit by wildfires at this time of the year. Five thousand firefighters have been deployed across California, state officials say. Several injuries have been reported and numerous buildings and homes destroyed.
Air quality is reported to be noticeably poorer in areas inland from Los Angeles due to smoke in the air.
California and western North America are regularly hit by wildfires at this time of the year.
Smaller forest fires are also burning in Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico.
More than 200 fires have been reported in Canada's British Columbia province.