Wild Fire in Northern California Forces Thousands to Leave Home

Extreme hot weather combined with dry bushes in the forest have caused the spread of fire in the Northern California forcing more than 1,000 residents to leave their homes.

According to the report from Los Angeles Times, the fire started late in the afternoon of August 13 off the Highway 29 and Clayton Creek Road. It is largely burning out of control in an area that was evacuated last year due to wildfire. An entire community of Lower Lake, composing of about 1,200 residents, was evacuated.

On August 14, the amount of acreage devoured by the fire grew to 3,000 from 1,400. Several businesses in the main street of Lower Lake were burned, including the post office and the Habitat for Humanity office.

The latest update provided by the ABC News, put the fire to about 5 mile square miles. 4,000 people have already fled away from the fire as it already destroyed at least 10 homes. The neighboring town of Clearlake with 15,000 residents was also evacuated. Firefighters are still struggling to contain the largely out of control fire.

The fire in the Lake County is not the only wildfire that occurred in California. Further south, a deadly blaze that started by an illegal campfire burned north of Big Sur, burning more than 72,000 acres and wiping out nearly 60 homes. One was reportedly killed by the wild fire.

Another fire also started last Saturday afternoon, burning more than 2 square miles. About 135 homes south of Lake Nacimiento in central California were evacuated. No homes were lost in the fire that is partially contained.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection is recommending residents near the areas of wild fire to brace themselves and prepare for possible evacuation, stating that the fire activity could change in a moment's notice.

The year-long drought in California has been a constant magnet for wild fires, forcing thousands of residents to leave home.