The US state of California is experiencing dangerous wildfires that have cost many people their homes and belongings, and wiped out large numbers of wildlife. The country's most populous state is already under the grip of record temperatures, with BBC footage showing uncontrollable blazes, the charred remains of trees and plants, and service crews (both on the ground and in the air) trying to tackle the fires.
On Sunday, 8,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes as 14 large wildfires raged throughout the state, according to Cal Fire (the name by which most people know the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection).
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The largest of the 14 fires, the Alamo fire, has burned over 60 miles of land after beginning in San Luis Obispo County before spreading to Santa Barbara County, which sits along the state's coast.
As well as aiding people, fire services have been trying to contain blazes that threaten the state's vital infrastructure, reports the LA Times, including high-voltage lines which power nearby cities.
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The wildfire in Santa Barbara County began on Saturday at noon, as temperatures hit 43 degrees Celsius. It was reported to have destroyed 20 structures, with more expected to follow.
Outside of California, other parts of America and Canada are also experiencing wildfires. Fire services in Arizona said three homes had been burned and the town of Dudleyville (100 miles from Phoenix) had been evacuated, while a building was also destroyed in Oregon, which is north of California. Meanwhile, fire officials in Nevada ordered evacuations and in British Columbia, Canada, over 200 wildfires had already destroyed dozens of buildings by Sunday and forced thousands to flee.
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California is unfortunately a regular victim of wildfires, though it remains to be seen how this summer's compare to previous years. In 2015 the Valley, Butte and Rough Fires caused around $2 billion (£155 billion) dollars in damage and destroyed more than 230 acres and 600 homes.
A 2003 wildfire which began in San Diego county remains the state's largest to date, killing 15 people and burning 2,000 homes. However, one of the most well-remembered fires in California's history took place in 1991 and is recalled due to the high death count (25 people lost their lives) and the fact that much of it spread to outer reaches of the cities of Berkeley and Oakland. It destroyed 1,500 homes and causing $1.5 billion in damage, in addition to the tragic loss of life.
Sources: BBC, ABC, MSN, LA Times
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Words: Ronan O'Shea
Topics: california