Top pick: Russia-Ukraine conflict: Moscow detains man for killing senior general Igor Kirillov
Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 30 Jul 2018
Sacramento: Helped by erratic winds, wildfires have killed at least eight people, including two children, as it ravaged parts of US' California state, reports said.
Sounding alert, firefighters have said that the fire is expanding with each passing day. Currently, the state is witnessing 17 wildfires, including eight major ones.
The largest among these is the Carr fire, accounting for 95,000 acres, destroying 874 structures — including 657 residential structures — and damaging 175 others, local Los Angeles Times reported.
#CarrFire [update] northwest of Anderson (Shasta County) is now 95,368 acres and 17% contained. Evacuations and road closures in place. Unified Command: @CALFIRESHU and Whiskeytown National Park. https://t.co/QmhauhZj9m pic.twitter.com/nEVgqpn6PZ
— CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) July 30, 2018
Among the deceased are two firefighters, who passed away while battling the blaze.
The deceased children have been identified as four and five years of age.
Reports said that the authorities are also trying to locate seven missing persons.
The 17 fires have eaten away a combined 200,000 acres of land, authorities said.
The Governor of the state, Jerry Brown, has ordered a state of emergency and has urged the US President for direct federal assistance.
Image: twitter.com/CAL_FIRE