California: Destruction sweeps Berry Creek after wildfire
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California is no stranger to wildfires, with devastating blazes sparked during the summer months each year. Thousands of firefighters are working to contain fires blazing across hundreds of thousands of acres, with mandatory evacuation warnings issued.
The biggest fire blazing right now is the Dixie Fire, located in Butte and Plumas counties.
Dixie Fire was sparked around 5.15pm local time on July 13 in the Lassen National Forest.
Now grown to more than 278,000 acres, more than 4,700 personnel are battling the fire.
The Dixie Fire absorbed another nearby wildfire – the Fly Fire.
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The cause of both of these are under investigation, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Despite evacuation orders, officials have said “a lot of people” chose to stay in Greenville.
Jake Cagle, Operations Section Chief for California Incident Management Team 4 issued a video to Facebook updating the community on the fires.
He said: “We can’t protect the structures because we’re trying to get people out of here because a lot of people chose to stay.”
Dixie Fire is threatening 12,438 structures, and officials reported 45 structures have been destroyed.
As of Wednesday night, 22 minor structures were destroyed.
Another cause for concern is River Fire, a fast-growing blaze in Nevada and Placer counties, which is not contained as yet.
The fire sparked just after 3.30pm on Wednesday local time, has grown to more than 1,400 acres and destroyed 35 to 40 structures.
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Mandatory evacuations are in place for more than 6,600 residents in the area.
Adding to the fear around the blaze, the Sacramento National Weather Service office has issued a “red flag warning” through Thursday evening.
This means winds and dry fire conditions are likely – which could fan the fire.
In the latest press conference on the fires, a fire official said the weather conditions were “a recipe for rapid fire growth”.
In total, 2,400 people have been told to evacuate in Placer County, and 4,200 people have been ordered to leave in Nevada County.
Placer County Sheriff Devon Bell warned residents: “If you’re ordered to go, get out.”
Craig Clements, director San Jose State University’s Fire Weather Research Laboratory said: “Single-digit humidity… that’s really not good with these winds … that’s bad.
“This is looking crazy.”
Fires currently ablaze in California
The Dixie fire in Butte and Plumas counties has burnt across 278,225 acres and is 35 percent contained as of the latest Cal Fire update.
The River fire in Nevada and Placer is burning across 1,400 acres and is not contained.
Hiding fire in Shasta county has hit 50 acres, and is 95 percent contained.
House fire, also in Shasta county, has burnt across 35 acres and is 20 percent contained.
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