Massive California fire forces thousands to flee
California's biggest fire this year has forced thousands of people to flee the blazes that destroyed homes and razed swathes of the state, fueled by strong winds and thunderstorms.
California firefighting services (Calfire) said that the fire, which was called "McNee", is raging in the Klamath National Forest in southern California, which extends over a distance of more than 51,000 acres near the city of Yerika.
This is the biggest wildfire since the beginning of the year in California, which was already ravaged by many fires this summer.
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Saturday and said the fire had destroyed homes and threatened vital infrastructure in the wake of its outbreak on Friday.
Newsom said in a statement that the fire was intensified and spread by flammable dry areas, severe drought, high temperatures, winds and thunderstorms.
More than 2,000 citizens were ordered to evacuate their homes, while about 200 others received warnings in this regard, according to California emergency services, most of them in Sisikyo County.
"Residents of the surrounding areas should be ready to leave if necessary. Please do not hesitate to evacuate your homes," a Sisikyo security official tweeted.
Interstate 96 and McKinney Creed Road, southeast of the Klamath River, were closed to traffic, Calfair said.
The unprecedented fire broke out days after the largest fire in central California.
The Oak Fire near Yosemite National Park broke out in mid-July and spread quickly, destroying 41 homes and forcing the evacuation of thousands of people.
And California, which is experiencing a severe drought, remains at risk of fires for months.
In recent years, the American West has witnessed wildfires of exceptional size and intensity, with a noticeable lengthening of the fire season, a phenomenon that scientists attribute to a warming climate.
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