13,000 ordered to evacuate as California combats wildfires

PanARMENIAN.Net - Evacuation orders have been given to 13,000 people in California as firefighters struggle to contain some 20 wildfires.

Some 9,000 firefighters worked throughout Monday, Aug 3, in steep terrain and rugged conditions, officials said, according to BBC News.

The biggest blaze - the so-called Rocky fire north of San Francisco - has already consumed more than 90 square miles (145sq km) of land.

On Monday afternoon the fire jumped a highway that had been containing it.

The BBC says that the Rocky fire tripled in size over the weekend, with officials describing its rate of growth as unprecedented. At least 24 homes were destroyed as the blaze was whipped up by winds that fuelled the flames.

More than 6,000 properties currently lie in the path of the flames.

Four years of drought in the western U.S. have left the landscape tinder dry. Coupled with unseasonably humid conditions, lightning strikes and gusting winds, this has posed a severe challenge for fire fighters and water-dropping aircraft.

While some progress has been reported in tackling the blazes, partially due to a slight fall in temperatures, there is no rain forecast.