California: Wildfires burn through record area

Wildfires in California have caused huge devastation. Fires have burned through a record number of acres this year.

According to the state’s department of forestry and fire protection, fires have burned more than two million acres, more than the size of Delaware.

Officials said that one fire, El Dorado, which has spread over 7,000 acres, was started by gender reveal party.
In addition to fire, California has reported a record heatwave.

The highest temperature of 49.4C (121F) was reported in Los Angeles County. The National Weather Service has warned that temperatures are likely to decrease from Tuesday. However, the service also warned that strong winds can make flames stronger.

Cal Fire said that more than 14,000 firefighters are battling 24 fires across the state.

BBC reported that the Creek Fire has burned more than 78,000 acres of land since it was first reported in the Sierra Mountains on Friday, and the authorities said none of it had been contained.

At least two dozen dwellings in the town of Big Creek have been burned due to fire. More than 200 hikers were rescued through airlift from the Mammoth Pool Reservoir after becoming trapped by flames.

On the other hand, more than 10,000 acres of land were burned in San Diego County. The huge ablaze also prompted the evacuation of the remote town of Alpine; while Bobcat fire in Angeles National Forest has destroyed nearly 5,000 acres and saw the evacuation of the Mount Wilson Observatory.