Reuters
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NOS News•today, 02:54
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At least 2,000 people have been evacuated in the US state of California because of a wildfire that broke out last Friday. In two days, the fire, on the border with the state of Oregon, has grown to more than 207 square kilometers. This makes it the largest wildfire this year in the western state. There have been no injuries so far.
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Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency for the sparsely populated region. This means, among other things, that it is easier to call in aid at the federal level.
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The McKinney fire broke out in the northern Klamath nature reserve, where it is very dry. There is also a thunderstorm on the way there and the fear is that lightning strikes will cause the fires to get even bigger. The fire is also fueled by the strong wind. “That fire can then be blown in any direction,” said a spokesman for the United States Forest Service, the administrator of the national forests.
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Residents of the area have been urged to leave their homes and evacuate their livestock as well. Not everyone has heeded the call.
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Some 60 hikers who walked the Pacific Coast Trail have also been removed from the area. According to the authorities, they were not in immediate danger, but were collected as a precaution. More than 170 kilometers of the route is closed.
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AFP
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