Hundreds evacuated: California’s largest wildfire still burning for second day

Tengrinews.kz – The wildfire that began on July 2 in California is still not extinguished. It has already consumed over 52,000 acres, according to The Washington Post.

Named the Madre Fire, it is the largest wildfire in California this year. It initially broke out in the Los Padres National Forest in San Luis Obispo County, about 120 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

However, the fire has continued to spread rapidly.

"It has been burning along State Route 166 in the Los Padres National Forest, mostly north of the highway into the Carrizo Plain National Monument. The route has been closed between its junction with Route 101 in the city of Santa Maria and the town of New Cuyama," the report states.

Due to the fire, about 50 structures are under threat, and more than 200 people have been evacuated.

"There are fears hot and dry conditions could create an intense fire season this summer," the article notes.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, the blaze exhibited "exponential growth in less than 24 hours" due to weather, terrain, and dry fuel. They also warned that "smoke impacts will be far-reaching".

Governor Gavin Newsom’s press office announced that the state is coordinating with federal agencies and has deployed significant air support and ground crews. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) has mobilized four helicopters, nearly 600 personnel, and over 50 firefighting units.

According to the National Weather Service in Los Angeles, smoke has spread to Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, south of the fire’s origin. Local authorities also report that Kern County, northeast of the fire, has been affected.

As of now, 65 percent of the fire has been contained.

Earlier this year, in January, California already faced devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, which resulted in deaths and the destruction of thousands of homes and structures.