California, USA, is facing an “unprecedented” wildfire crisis, according to firemen struggling to fight the blaze.
Only five per cent of the wildfire has been contained, and strong winds in the state are creating fire-tornados that are uprooting trees and overturning cars.
A total of five people are feared to have been killed by the wildfires – including a firefighter and an 81-year-old bulldozer operator.
Dubbed the Carr wildfire after the road it started on, the fire has now been responsible for burning an area the size of Denver as it moves north of the state.
The Carr wildfire’s destructive capability has been surprising so far as the blaze managed to ‘jump’ a major river to the town of Redding.
Thousands of firefighters have been called out in response to the disaster, and are battling to contain it.
Starting in the Whiskeytown–Shasta–Trinity National Recreation Area, the official cause of the fire has been recorded as ‘Mechanical Failure of a Vehicle’.
The Carr Fire was originally reported at an intersection of the US highway 299, and Carr powerhouse road on July 23.
The car in question ignited the fire while California was undergoing the severe arid conditions and high temperatures that underline the state’s devastating wildfire season.
Scores of people have been evacuated in the wake of the disaster, as 38,000 people have been forced to leave their homes behind.
More than a dozen other large wildfires are burning throughout California as well.
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has now updated its travel advice to the state.
“The Ferguson wildfire burning near Yosemite National Park in the state of California has prompted the temporary closure of Yosemite Valley,” says the FCO website.
“The National Park Service is asking visitors to leave. Wildfires can spread swiftly, so if you are in the area you should remain vigilant, monitor local media reports, and follow the instructions issued by local authorities, including obeying any evacuation orders.
“If you have been affected by the wildfire and need consular assistance, you can call the British Consulate in San Francisco on +1 415 617 1300; if you’re in the UK and worried about a British national visiting the Yosemite region, you can call the FCO on 020 7008 1500.”
The FCO also offers ongoing travel advice regarding wildfires: “Forest and brush fires (wildfires) are a danger in many dry areas, states the FCO.
“High winds can cause fires to spread very rapidly. Areas of high risk are canyons, hills and forests. Monitor local media reports and follow the advice of local law enforcement officials.
“Exercise caution in areas which have been recently affected by wildfires as they are more susceptible to mudslides during heavy rainfall.”
The Carr Fire has burned 194 square kilometres (120 miles) of land and shows no sign of stopping. It has been the most deadly to come from California’s 2018 wildfire season.
US Federal data has revealed that this year is up 21 per cent from the 10-year average for this time period.
Over four million square kilometres (2million miles) of land has been decimated by fires this year alone.
