The second largest wildfire in this US state since the measurements began in 1932 is currently raging in northern California. The so-called Dixie Fire has already destroyed more than 400 homes and business premises.
Thousands of people have been evacuated, five people are missing. The area burned down is larger than the province of Utrecht. About 5,000 firefighters are trying to get the blaze under control. At least three of them were injured last weekend.
Warmer weather coming
More favorable weather conditions have slowed the spread of the bushfire slightly this weekend. Although the thick layer of smoke above the area deteriorated the air quality, according to from Los Angeles Times that cloud of smoke also led to lower temperatures, slightly less wind and more humidity. In the coming days, however, it will become warmer again, with temperatures around 38 degrees, which could cause the fire to flare up again.
“The living trees in the area contain less moisture than, for example, firewood that you buy in the store,” said a spokesman for the fire service. Ten other wildfires are currently raging in the state due to the ongoing drought in California. Dixie is now the largest in size in all of the US.
Cause
The wildfire broke out in mid-July for unknown reasons. Preliminary investigations suggest the fire was started by a fallen tree on an electricity cable. The fire is expected to be extinguished within two weeks.
According to AFP, a larger area had already been burned down by wildfires in California at the end of July than around the same time last year. While 2020 was the most devastating year in the state’s modern history in terms of wildfires, the news agency writes.
The largest wildfire since records began in California was in August last year. Then an area more than twice as large as now went up in flames.
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