Two dead in California's largest fire this year, sweeping dry areas and destroying homes
Firefighters in Northern California are working on Monday to put out the largest fire in the state this year, killing two people, after it spread and forced thousands of people to flee to escape the blaze that destroyed their homes.
The McKinney fire came after high winds and thunderstorms swept dry areas in the state on Sunday, which spread over an area of more than 22,500 hectares in the Klamath National Forest in southern California near the city of Yerika, and has not been extinguished yet, according to the California fire department (Calfire).
About 850 firefighters are working Monday to put out the flames, according to the National Forest Fire Coordination Group.
California and other parts of the western United States have experienced massive wildfires in recent years due to drought and global warming.
This is the biggest wildfire since the beginning of the year in California, which was already ravaged by many fires this summer.
According to the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office, firefighters Sunday found two bodies inside a burning car in the parking lot of a home in Klamath River Township -- in the path of the fire.
Speaking to ABC News, Jeremiah LaRue said firefighters believe the couple were caught in the rapidly expanding flames as they tried to escape.
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Saturday, saying the fire had "devastated homes" and "threatens vital infrastructure" following its outbreak on Friday.
Newsom said in a statement that the fire was "intensified and spread by flammable dry areas, extreme 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.
Yarka resident Larry Castle told the Sacramento Be newspaper that he and his wife packed some belongings and their three dogs to leave the area and spend the night outside, because other fires in recent years had taught them that the situation could become "very dangerous."
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 experienced 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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