A fast-moving wildfire in northern California has forced more than 4,000 people to evacuate as firefighters battle gusty winds and seriously dry conditions, authorities said Friday.
Fuelled by a crushing heatwave, the so-called Park Fire — the most intense wildfire to hit the state this summer — has rapidly devoured nearly 240,000 acres as of Friday night and is continuing to gain strength, AFP reported.
“This fire has been rapidly expanding 4,000 to 5,000 acres an hour,” incident commander Billy See said at a press conference Friday evening.
For now it is “0%” controlled, despite the efforts of about 1,700 firefighters, according to state agency Cal Fire, with hundreds of additional resources ordered en route.
A total of 4,000 people have evacuated the towns of Cohasset and Forest Ranch, plus an additional 400 from the small city of Chico. Additionally, 134 structures have been destroyed so far, authorities said.
