California is grappling with wildfires. Evacuation orders have been issued for nearly 30,000 residents. Authorities have urged residents not to light Independence Day fireworks. The situation is being made more difficult by hot, dry and windy weather.
Tens of thousands of people in Northern California have been ordered to evacuate as wildfires grow across the state amid a heat wave. About 28,000 people were told to leave their homes after the Thompson Fire broke out this week, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire).
Dangerously hot, dry and windy weather is expected to continue, with the National Weather Service (NWS) predicting temperatures could reach as high as 47 degrees Celsius in some areas early next week.
The city of Oroville, near where the Thompson Fire broke out Tuesday, canceled its Independence Day fireworks celebration, and officials warned residents not to use fireworks to avoid the risk of starting fires.
Fighting the California firesENEX
“Don't create any more problems for us”
“The last thing we need is someone buying fireworks from the local fire stand and doing something stupid,” said Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea. “Don’t be an idiot, don’t start a fire and don’t create more problems for us.”
Honea said there have been four fires in the area in the past few weeks and warned that the danger is far from over.
Cal Fire said Thursday the Thompson Fire burned 1,400 acres and was seven percent contained.
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Main image source: Reuters