A fire that has been raging in Northern California since Friday is the largest wildfire in the U.S. West Coast state since the start of this year’s fire season. More than 30,000 hectares of the Klamath National Forest have already been destroyed, according to the fire department. More than 2,000 people were asked to get to safety. Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency to mobilize rapid support.
Ongoing drought and heat in California, as well as high winds and thunderstorms, fueled the “McKinney Fire,” Newsom said. It destroys homes and threatens “key infrastructure”.
More than 2,000 residents of Siskiyou County were evicted from their homes by the California Disaster Management Agency. Some 650 firefighters were mobilized Monday, including reinforcements from the neighboring state of Oregon.
Western US suffers enormously from wildfires
California’s largest fire to date, the “Oak Fire,” broke out near Yosemite National Park in mid-July and had also spread rapidly. More than 40 buildings were destroyed and thousands of people were forced to evacuate.
Suffering from a prolonged drought, the western United States has experienced wildfires of exceptional size and intensity in recent years. At the same time, the fire season is getting longer, mainly due to climate change. In California, it will likely continue for months.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
