California at the crossroads of climate disasters.

Already devastated by a major fire at the gates of Los Angeles, called "Fairview fire", the American state is now threatened by storm Kay, coming from Mexico.

Firefighters are preparing to face mudslides, floods and flames revived by the wind.

More than 10,000 hectares have already been consumed by the fire which broke out on Monday, in the midst of an extreme heat wave, and which continues to spread under the effect of "extreme winds" coming down from the nearby mountains, authorities said. .

“I have never seen a fire like this in Riverside County in my entire career,” said John Crater, California Wildfire Services Division Chief.

"It's a very tough fire."

Two people have already perished, trapped by the flames as they tried to flee the blaze.

Gusts over 160 km/h

In northern California, the "Mosquito Fire" continues to ravage the surroundings of Sacramento, and has already destroyed more than 12,000 hectares.

Firefighters said they did not control any fronts of this fire, which according to them has already destroyed several buildings.

"The fire is burning in extremely difficult terrain, which includes very steep canyons, where it can be difficult to navigate the flames," California fire agency Cal Fire said in a statement.

At the same time, it is now the threat of Hurricane Kay, downgraded to a tropical storm, which is looming.

This phenomenon should bring heavy rains to California and Arizona, as well as a strong swell on the Pacific coast.

According to the US weather services, more than 18 centimeters of precipitation could fall, increasing the risk of flooding and mudslides in areas where scorched earth will not be able to absorb runoff.

Friday afternoon, this storm was already blowing over Southern California, with gusts over 160 km / h.

It should therefore put an end to the stifling heat wave suffered for a week by the American West, where the mercury has sometimes curled around 45° C, but the temperatures will remain high in northern and central California.

Dry air and wind may therefore increase the risk of fires.

The American West has been hit by more than two decades of devastating drought, aggravated by climate change due to the continued use of fossil fuels.

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