As a wildfire spread rapidly across more than 1,000 acres in extremely hot conditions, California has set up 40 cooling centres.

Offering shelter in air-conditioned rooms and cold drinks during the heat of the day, the centres have been established in libraries, recreation and park facilities, and senior living facilities.

With thermometers logging highs of over 110 Fahrenheit (43 Celsius) in some places, forecasters have issued an excessive heat warning for most of California, as well as parts of Nevada and Arizona.

Smothering a holiday weekend, the oppressive heat is expected to last well into the next week with little relief in the way of cooler nights.

Not only do elevated temperatures put a strain on the human body, but they also sometimes lead to a cascade of illness or death.

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Highlighting that the city was doing its best to look out for those in need of help when the mercury rises over 100 Fahrenheit, Joseph Riser of the Los Angeles emergency management department said, "Once that hits that peak... then the plans we have for adverse weather kick in and we begin rallying the troops, getting the supplies, making sure which centres can be open and that we have enough."

Tending to be more acute in poorer and more marginalized communities, the effects of intense heat are not evenly felt across societies.

People living in neighbourhoods without tree cover and homeless people or those who work outside during the heat of the day are at risk.

Asking households to conserve power and turn up their thermostats to help reduce power demand, the operator of California's creaking electricity grid on Friday called a third consecutive "Flex Alert."

With thermometers set to peak at 116 degrees Fahrenheit in some densely populated areas around Los Angeles over the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend, the heat dome is expected to last well into next week.

Making natural weather variations more extreme, global warming is being driven chiefly by the unchecked burning of fossil fuels. While storms are getting wetter and more dangerous, heat waves are getting hotter and more intense.

(With inputs from agencies)

Watch WION's live TV here:

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As a wildfire spread rapidly across more than 1,000 acres in extremely hot conditions, California has set up 40 cooling centres. Offering shelter in air-conditioned rooms and cold drinks during the heat of the day, the centres have been established in libraries, recreation and park facilities, and senior living facilities.

As a wildfire spread rapidly across more than 1,000 acres in extremely hot conditions, California has set up 40 cooling centres. Offering shelter in air-conditioned rooms and cold drinks during the heat of the day, the centres have been established in libraries, recreation and park facilities, and senior living facilities. With thermometers logging highs of over 110 Fahrenheit (43 Celsius) in some places, forecasters have issued an excessive heat warning for most of California, as well as parts of Nevada and Arizona. Smothering a holiday weekend, the oppressive heat is expected to last well into the next week with little relief in the way of cooler nights. Not only do elevated temperatures put a strain on the human body, but they also sometimes lead to a cascade of illness or death. × Highlighting that the city was doing its best to look out for those in need of help when the mercury rises over 100 Fahrenheit, Joseph Riser of the Los Angeles emergency management department said, "Once that hits that peak... then the plans we have for adverse weather kick in and we begin rallying the troops, getting the supplies, making sure which centres can be open and that we have enough." Tending to be more acute in poorer and more marginalized communities, the effects of intense heat are not evenly felt across societies. People living in neighbourhoods without tree cover and homeless people or those who work outside during the heat of the day are at risk. Asking households to conserve power and turn up their thermostats to help reduce power demand, the operator of California's creaking electricity grid on Friday called a third consecutive "Flex Alert." With thermometers set to peak at 116 degrees Fahrenheit in some densely populated areas around Los Angeles over the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend, the heat dome is expected to last well into next week. Making natural weather variations more extreme, global warming is being driven chiefly by the unchecked burning of fossil fuels. While storms are getting wetter and more dangerous, heat waves are getting hotter and more intense. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

California opens cooling centres as wildfire spreads rapidly, mercury soars

The US state of California is battling major wildfires as hot, sultry and windy weather continues to make the rescue operations challenging. Now, two people have been found dead in the McKinney blaze that has scorched over 55,000 acres.

The US state of California is battling major wildfires as hot, sultry and windy weather continues to make the rescue operations challenging. Now, two people have been found dead in the McKinney blaze that has scorched over 55,000 acres. Jeremiah LaRue, Sisikou County Sheriff stated that the two people were found dead inside a car that had been charred by the fire. Both were sitting inside the car on the driveway of a home, suggesting that they did not have any other place to go. The incident took place in an area near the Klamath River, which has been described as the fire's path by the firefighters. As reported by WION, the McKinney wildfire started in Northern California's Klamath national forest on Friday and since then hasn't stopped burning. More than 2,000 people have been told to evacuate their houses and take their livestock away from the area of the blaze. Read More: US: Evacuations ordered as California wildfires burn abated While 660 firefighters are deployed on the forward line to contain the wildfire but no success has come their way. Reportedly, zero per cent of the fire has been contained so far. The US Forest Service has explained that the fuel beds in the Klamath region are so dry that they just erupt from little lightning. While it rained a little yesterday, the officials stated that they need a lot more rain if the blaze is to be contained. A state of emergency has already been declared in some parts by Governor Gavin Newsom. Authorities have not confirmed the extent of the damage yet, saying assessments would begin when it was safe to reach the area. However, the County Sheriff's office at Siskiyou revealed that the McKinney fire had already destroyed more than 100 structures including a community centre. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Two found dead in a torched car as California wildfire continues to wreak havoc

In pics| California wildfire continues to wreak havoc

California Governor Gavin Newsom ordered a state of emergency in some parts as a major bush fire near Yosemite National Park led to a large wildfire.

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Cal OES is actively working with our partners <a href="https://twitter.com/CAL_FIRE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CAL_FIRE</a> on the dangerous &amp; fast moving <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OakFire?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OakFire</a>. 
 
Through our State Operations Center we are gathering intel (like this <a href="https://twitter.com/FIRIS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FIRIS</a> mapping below) dispatching mutual aid &amp; coordinating with local officials on emergency management needs. <a href="https://t.co/depmIeVYSA">https://t.co/depmIeVYSA</a>
— California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (@Cal_OES) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cal_OES/status/1550849786550423552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 23, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Reports claim the Oak Fire which started on Friday spread rapidly on Saturday as authorities gave evacuation orders for nearly 6,000 people living in the area.

Reports claimed the fire spread through Mariposa County overnight and expanded to Sierra National Forest destroying vehicles as firefighters struggled to contain the blaze.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wildfires-raging-in-13-us-states-over-100-million-americans-under-threat-499090">Also Read:&nbsp;Wildfires raging in 13 US states, over 100 million Americans under threat</a>

The wildfire has already destroyed &nbsp;6,555 acres of land&nbsp;as Mariposa authorities issued evacuation orders and said the fire was "extreme". The US has been experiencing a scorching heatwave in the past few days.

Watch:&nbsp;Evacuations ordered amid&nbsp;California wildfire

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Reports claim over 500 firefighters have been working in the area aided by aircraft in an attempt to extinguish the blaze.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Agencies)

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California Governor Gavin Newsom ordered a state of emergency in some parts as a major bush fire near Yosemite National Park led to a large wildfire. Cal OES is actively working with our partners @CAL_FIRE on the dangerous & fast moving #OakFire.

California Governor Gavin Newsom ordered a state of emergency in some parts as a major bush fire near Yosemite National Park led to a large wildfire. Cal OES is actively working with our partners @CAL_FIRE on the dangerous & fast moving #OakFire. Through our State Operations Center we are gathering intel (like this @FIRIS mapping below) dispatching mutual aid & coordinating with local officials on emergency management needs. https://t.co/depmIeVYSA — California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (@Cal_OES) July 23, 2022 × Reports claim the Oak Fire which started on Friday spread rapidly on Saturday as authorities gave evacuation orders for nearly 6,000 people living in the area. Reports claimed the fire spread through Mariposa County overnight and expanded to Sierra National Forest destroying vehicles as firefighters struggled to contain the blaze. Also Read: Wildfires raging in 13 US states, over 100 million Americans under threat The wildfire has already destroyed 6,555 acres of land as Mariposa authorities issued evacuation orders and said the fire was "extreme". The US has been experiencing a scorching heatwave in the past few days. Watch: Evacuations ordered amid California wildfire Reports claim over 500 firefighters have been working in the area aided by aircraft in an attempt to extinguish the blaze. (With inputs from Agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

California governor declares emergency in some parts amid raging wildfire

The US National Centre for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) has found that carbon monoxide levels have spiked due to billowing smoke from wildfires in the last few years.

The wildfires in the US Pacific north-west have&nbsp;been fueled by climate change that is making the atmosphere drier and warmer.

According to project scientist Dr Rebecca Buchholz, “Our research contributes to the growing body of research that shows that fires,&nbsp;in particular Pacific north-west region fires – are becoming more important for North American air quality.”

“There is definitely a feedback between fires and climate. It is telling us that fires are compromising the ability of the atmosphere to self-clean,” she added.

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During her analysis of carbon monoxide's impact on the atmospheric chemistry, between 2002 to 2018, she found how other sources of pollution may be connected to the flames.

When action is taken on the classical pollutants, particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide, it also has an impact on other damaging pollutants.&nbsp;

Buchholz said that in the case of carbon monoxide, levels are dangerous at 10-20 parts per million (ppm), and symptoms become apparent above 70 ppm.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-climate-change-will-impact-the-worlds-regions-differently-457772">Also see |&nbsp;How climate change will impact the world's regions differently</a>

Air contaminants are offsetting the recent reductions in emissions as per NCAR that is a US-funded research and development centre.&nbsp;

While it is managed by the non-profit University Corporation for Atmospheric Research and it is funded by the National Science Foundation.

Scientists believe that exposure to carbon monoxide gas decreases the heart’s ability to contract in a way that is distinct from the effects of oxygen deprivation.

Patients with a history of moderate-to-severe carbon monoxide toxicity have higher rates of illness and death from heart disease years after carbon monoxide exposure.

(With inputs from agencies)

The US National Centre for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) has found that carbon monoxide levels have spiked due to billowing smoke from wildfires in the last few years.

The US National Centre for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) has found that carbon monoxide levels have spiked due to billowing smoke from wildfires in the last few years. The wildfires in the US Pacific north-west have been fueled by climate change that is making the atmosphere drier and warmer. According to project scientist Dr Rebecca Buchholz, “Our research contributes to the growing body of research that shows that fires, in particular Pacific north-west region fires – are becoming more important for North American air quality.” “There is definitely a feedback between fires and climate. It is telling us that fires are compromising the ability of the atmosphere to self-clean,” she added. During her analysis of carbon monoxide's impact on the atmospheric chemistry, between 2002 to 2018, she found how other sources of pollution may be connected to the flames. When action is taken on the classical pollutants, particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide, it also has an impact on other damaging pollutants. Buchholz said that in the case of carbon monoxide, levels are dangerous at 10-20 parts per million (ppm), and symptoms become apparent above 70 ppm. Also see | How climate change will impact the world's regions differently Air contaminants are offsetting the recent reductions in emissions as per NCAR that is a US-funded research and development centre. While it is managed by the non-profit University Corporation for Atmospheric Research and it is funded by the National Science Foundation. Scientists believe that exposure to carbon monoxide gas decreases the heart’s ability to contract in a way that is distinct from the effects of oxygen deprivation. Patients with a history of moderate-to-severe carbon monoxide toxicity have higher rates of illness and death from heart disease years after carbon monoxide exposure. (With inputs from agencies)

Carbon monoxide levels spike due to billowing smoke from wildfires fueled by climate change: Study

How climate change will impact the world's regions differently

In July, as wildfires tore through the American West, President Joe Biden met with the region’s governors to find better ways to battle the flames. California Governor&nbsp;Gavin Newsom requested use of military satellites that are designed to warn of missile attacks, calling the orbital fleet “a game changer” for spotting and fighting wildfires.

Biden promised to help. “When this meeting is over,” he said, “I’ll be on the phone with the Department of Defense.”

His call wasn’t the first — or the 50th.

The issue of using secret military gear to aid civilian firefighters arose 35 years ago. It grew as the White House, CIA, U.S. Forest Service and other federal agencies sought to establish a national system that warned of undetected wildfires and menacing flare-ups.

The Pentagon allowed tests and a short-lived prototype. But the arrangements were never permanent. The military, eager to safeguard its prerogatives and orbital fleets, was always glad to shut the pipeline down. As a result, officials such as Newsom now have to lobby for emergency access.

But record-setting fires are likely to grow worse and pose grave new dangers that warrant an urgent response, according to proponents of deeper cooperation between officials who combat wildfires and those managing the military spacecraft. The nation can no longer afford endless turf wars and bureaucratic foot-dragging. It’s a matter, they say, of public safety.

“Fighting disasters is like fighting wars,” said Darrell Herd, a retired senior research scientist at the Defense Intelligence Agency who pioneered early orbital tests of wildfire detection. “You suffer if you don’t have adequate warning.”

The parts of the United States destroyed each year by wildfires have more than doubled over two decades. And California’s fires have recently grown rapidly in size. Deaths and diseases are linked not only to blistering flames, but also toxic smoke.

Even so, proponents of using the defence satellites note, the military has no established program that issues firefighting alerts to local, state and federal authorities. They also point out that the Pentagon’s spacecraft, when set against civilian and commercial ones, have repeatedly proven themselves to be superior at spotting blazes.

In an interview, Jeffrey Harris, a former director of the National Reconnaissance Office, which runs the country’s fleets of spy satellites, called for expanding civilian use of the attack-warning craft “as quickly as possible.” Scientists see the wildfires intensifying, he noted, “so why don’t we let firefighters take full advantage of the technology?”

California, Harris added, “is one of the largest economies in the world. And we’re not going to nip these fires in the bud?” The military craft, he stressed, “can save lives.”

In 2018, the U.S. Forest Service used the spacecraft as an experiment in California, quickly spotting four flare-ups. “I believe we are just beginning to unlock the possibilities,” Lt. Gen. John Thompson, then head of what was called the Air Force Space and Missiles Systems Center, said of the firefighting test. The Forest Service proceeded to ask that the military spinoffs go nationwide.

Satellite-sharing proponents often cite the military’s GPS as a role model. That fleet of satellites began life in 1978 as a highly classified system for transmitting precise location data to the U.S. armed forces. In the 1980s, civilians gained access. Today, commercial uses include tracking vehicles and sending position data to millions of smartphones.

In an interview, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., who heads the House Intelligence Committee, said the nation needed to rethink the military’s overall role in protecting American society and decide either to shrink its budgets or expand its domestic responsibilities. The new roles, he added, should include the permanent sharing of the attack-warning satellites with the civilian authorities.

“Part of a strong America is having a strong infrastructure that protects our citizens not just from foreign attack, but natural disasters,” Schiff said. “We need to protect people from the growing intensity of these fires.”

Schiff cited a personal encounter. In 2009, a California wildfire grew into the largest in the modern history of Los Angeles County, killing two firefighters, destroying scores of homes and turning hundreds of square miles of green vegetation into blackened remains.

“I remember stepping outside my house one night,” Schiff said. “It looked like lava flowing down the canyons — like a scene out of a surreal horror film.”

The revitalized debate centres on an early generation of attack-warning satellites known as the Defense Support Program, a main participant in the fire experiments. First sent aloft in 1970, the spacecraft orbit 22,300 miles up, over the equator, in sync with Earth’s rotation. Hanging motionless relative to the ground lets them peer without interruption at the same regions.

One satellite can see roughly one-third of Earth’s surface, and three can scan the entirety of the planet. Their specialty is spotting the fiery plumes of attacking missiles. But their infrared sensors — sensitive to heat’s invisible rays — can see much more. Once, a spacecraft was able to pinpoint where an Air Force C-141 transport jet exploded over the South Atlantic.

The military has lofted 23 of the craft over the decades at an estimated cost of $15 billion. Their current numbers and orbital locations are classified secrets. By Washington standards, their operating costs are relatively low. A military contractor was recently awarded a renewal contract for $223 million over 10 years, or $22.3 million a year.

Military craft in geosynchronous orbit have an edge over civilian satellites at lower altitudes that move steadily over Earth’s surface. The spacecraft in lower orbits see particular sites infrequently, often leaving them blind to new fires, sudden flare-ups and shifting flames. The images of NASA’s firefighting program are up to 5 hours old. In contrast, the military craft scan planet Earth every 10 seconds.

In fire season, striking images from satellite companies and the space fleets of civilian agencies are often made public, but those spacecraft typically detect blazes only after they’re too large to contain.

In the mid-1980s, Herd, then at the U.S. Geological Survey, learned that the attack-warning satellites could spot wildfires. Interagency talks ensued. After the Cold War, the White House put the nation’s spy agencies and satellites onto the new job of environmental sleuthing, and the CIA funded a number of pioneering fire studies.

In 1993 and 1994, Herd organized a program of igniting test fires across the United States to see how well the military satellites did. The fuels included brush, trees and grasses. The trials showed that the spacecraft could easily spot blazes even when the flames were relatively small and easily suppressed.

In July 1996, the CIA director boasted in a public speech that his agency had recently helped the U.S. Forest Service battle a series of wildfires raging in Alaska.

Support grew in the Clinton administration and in Congress for a permanent setup. The National Reconnaissance Office took the lead. Three federal agencies that ran three kinds of satellites — for monitoring land use, adversaries and the weather — helped set up the prototype. It was known as the Hazard Support System.

The warning hub came to life in 1999 but died almost immediately because of lack of funds. In lamenting its demise, Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, called it “a small program with a huge return.” Congressional investigators blamed poor interagency management.

Nonetheless, the idea of military aid for firefighters kept gaining support. In 2000, the Aerospace Corporation, which does research for the Pentagon, released a detailed study showing that the spacecraft could easily track grassland fires set intentionally across more than a million square miles of African savanna.

In 2010, an editorial in Space News, an industry publication, called on the military to set up a national system of wildfire alerts.

Experts proceeded to ask if civilian satellites — an increasing number of which have sensors that detect not only visible light but also heat rays — might be as good or even better than the military craft.

In 2012, Medea, the CIA’s environmental arm, compared the two approaches in a global test. The target was Brazil and its gargantuan forests, which farmers often set ablaze to clear land. The military’s attack-warning satellites came out on top. Their geostationary positions gave them continuous views, whereas the civilian satellites in lower orbits came and went over hours and days, often leaving them unable to detect new blazes.

On a temporary basis, California began using the military spacecraft to spot fires in 2018. Last year, Maj. Gen. David Baldwin, adjutant general of the California National Guard, told reporters that the state was “becoming pretty good at it.”

The main problem was the limited access. Most recently, use of the military asset was set to expire Thursday, at the end of the federal government’s fiscal year. So, over the summer, the state of California mounted a lobbying campaign.

In late July, Newsom made his pitch to Biden. “It’s hard,” Newsom said of the authorization process. “Every year, we fight to get a one-year extension.” The state’s congressional delegation, led by Schiff and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., sent a follow-up letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

When the request was approved, Schiff put out a statement saying the California delegation “will continue to push to make this program permanent.”

In an interview, Linda Zall, a former CIA official who for decades led the agency’s fire and environmental studies, said it was “a travesty” that civilian officials faced so much resistance to a modest step that promised to substantially enhance public safety.

The civilian authorities could soon get better options. Startups in Australia and Germany are planning to loft fire-spotting satellites in order to serve fast-growing international markets. And Planet, a U.S. company that built a fleet of nearly 200 imaging satellites, recently joined with a startup to assess forest-fire risks.

But on the military side, things could worsen. The Department of Defense is now facing budget pressures that could end the Defense Support Program and its firefighting aid. The problem arises principally from a new defensive strategy that the Pentagon is racing to put in place.

Starting in 2011, the Defense Support Program satellites were succeeded by a new generation that cost $1.7 billion per spacecraft. Six were scheduled for launch to geosynchronous orbit. By 2015, however, such giant craft were beginning to be judged as vulnerable to enemy attack. China, in particular, was seen as speeding ahead on a wide range of antisatellite arms.

Today, in response, the Pentagon is rushing to build smaller, cheaper, more numerous craft. It sees the vast numbers as greatly reducing the risk of attacks successful enough to knock out vital U.S. capabilities. By 2026, it wants to have in orbit roughly 1,000 satellites, many for attack warning. The issue is considered so urgent that the Pentagon in 2019 set up a new arm, the Space Development Agency, to carry out the sweeping plan.

Experts warn that the shift, and its budget repercussions, may turn the ageing spacecraft of the Defense Support Program into prime targets for termination.

One proffered solution is to transfer the satellites from the Pentagon to a civilian agency, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which runs the nation’s weather satellites. Or a civilian agency could simply pick up the military’s operating costs.

Harris, the former director of the National Reconnaissance Office, offered a more ambitious plan. He said the American military had tailored systems of declassification that, if applied, would let information from all its attack-warning satellites — whether old, new or middle age — be shared quickly with firefighters.

It’s a moment, he said, to expand the military’s support.

The wildfire situation “is going to get worse before it gets better,” Harris said. As a matter of public safety commensurate with the growing threat, he added, now is the time to “move the bureaucracy, to tell it what’s important. Let’s take advantage of these very capable resources.”

In July, as wildfires tore through the American West, President Joe Biden met with the region’s governors to find better ways to battle the flames. California Governor Gavin Newsom requested use of military satellites that are designed to warn of missile attacks, calling the orbital fleet “a game changer” for spotting and fighting wildfires.

In July, as wildfires tore through the American West, President Joe Biden met with the region’s governors to find better ways to battle the flames. California Governor Gavin Newsom requested use of military satellites that are designed to warn of missile attacks, calling the orbital fleet “a game changer” for spotting and fighting wildfires. Biden promised to help. “When this meeting is over,” he said, “I’ll be on the phone with the Department of Defense.” His call wasn’t the first — or the 50th. The issue of using secret military gear to aid civilian firefighters arose 35 years ago. It grew as the White House, CIA, U.S. Forest Service and other federal agencies sought to establish a national system that warned of undetected wildfires and menacing flare-ups. The Pentagon allowed tests and a short-lived prototype. But the arrangements were never permanent. The military, eager to safeguard its prerogatives and orbital fleets, was always glad to shut the pipeline down. As a result, officials such as Newsom now have to lobby for emergency access. But record-setting fires are likely to grow worse and pose grave new dangers that warrant an urgent response, according to proponents of deeper cooperation between officials who combat wildfires and those managing the military spacecraft. The nation can no longer afford endless turf wars and bureaucratic foot-dragging. It’s a matter, they say, of public safety. “Fighting disasters is like fighting wars,” said Darrell Herd, a retired senior research scientist at the Defense Intelligence Agency who pioneered early orbital tests of wildfire detection. “You suffer if you don’t have adequate warning.” The parts of the United States destroyed each year by wildfires have more than doubled over two decades. And California’s fires have recently grown rapidly in size. Deaths and diseases are linked not only to blistering flames, but also toxic smoke. Even so, proponents of using the defence satellites note, the military has no established program that issues firefighting alerts to local, state and federal authorities. They also point out that the Pentagon’s spacecraft, when set against civilian and commercial ones, have repeatedly proven themselves to be superior at spotting blazes. In an interview, Jeffrey Harris, a former director of the National Reconnaissance Office, which runs the country’s fleets of spy satellites, called for expanding civilian use of the attack-warning craft “as quickly as possible.” Scientists see the wildfires intensifying, he noted, “so why don’t we let firefighters take full advantage of the technology?” California, Harris added, “is one of the largest economies in the world. And we’re not going to nip these fires in the bud?” The military craft, he stressed, “can save lives.” In 2018, the U.S. Forest Service used the spacecraft as an experiment in California, quickly spotting four flare-ups. “I believe we are just beginning to unlock the possibilities,” Lt. Gen. John Thompson, then head of what was called the Air Force Space and Missiles Systems Center, said of the firefighting test. The Forest Service proceeded to ask that the military spinoffs go nationwide. Satellite-sharing proponents often cite the military’s GPS as a role model. That fleet of satellites began life in 1978 as a highly classified system for transmitting precise location data to the U.S. armed forces. In the 1980s, civilians gained access. Today, commercial uses include tracking vehicles and sending position data to millions of smartphones. In an interview, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., who heads the House Intelligence Committee, said the nation needed to rethink the military’s overall role in protecting American society and decide either to shrink its budgets or expand its domestic responsibilities. The new roles, he added, should include the permanent sharing of the attack-warning satellites with the civilian authorities. “Part of a strong America is having a strong infrastructure that protects our citizens not just from foreign attack, but natural disasters,” Schiff said. “We need to protect people from the growing intensity of these fires.” Schiff cited a personal encounter. In 2009, a California wildfire grew into the largest in the modern history of Los Angeles County, killing two firefighters, destroying scores of homes and turning hundreds of square miles of green vegetation into blackened remains. “I remember stepping outside my house one night,” Schiff said. “It looked like lava flowing down the canyons — like a scene out of a surreal horror film.” The revitalized debate centres on an early generation of attack-warning satellites known as the Defense Support Program, a main participant in the fire experiments. First sent aloft in 1970, the spacecraft orbit 22,300 miles up, over the equator, in sync with Earth’s rotation. Hanging motionless relative to the ground lets them peer without interruption at the same regions. One satellite can see roughly one-third of Earth’s surface, and three can scan the entirety of the planet. Their specialty is spotting the fiery plumes of attacking missiles. But their infrared sensors — sensitive to heat’s invisible rays — can see much more. Once, a spacecraft was able to pinpoint where an Air Force C-141 transport jet exploded over the South Atlantic. The military has lofted 23 of the craft over the decades at an estimated cost of $15 billion. Their current numbers and orbital locations are classified secrets. By Washington standards, their operating costs are relatively low. A military contractor was recently awarded a renewal contract for $223 million over 10 years, or $22.3 million a year. Military craft in geosynchronous orbit have an edge over civilian satellites at lower altitudes that move steadily over Earth’s surface. The spacecraft in lower orbits see particular sites infrequently, often leaving them blind to new fires, sudden flare-ups and shifting flames. The images of NASA’s firefighting program are up to 5 hours old. In contrast, the military craft scan planet Earth every 10 seconds. In fire season, striking images from satellite companies and the space fleets of civilian agencies are often made public, but those spacecraft typically detect blazes only after they’re too large to contain. In the mid-1980s, Herd, then at the U.S. Geological Survey, learned that the attack-warning satellites could spot wildfires. Interagency talks ensued. After the Cold War, the White House put the nation’s spy agencies and satellites onto the new job of environmental sleuthing, and the CIA funded a number of pioneering fire studies. In 1993 and 1994, Herd organized a program of igniting test fires across the United States to see how well the military satellites did. The fuels included brush, trees and grasses. The trials showed that the spacecraft could easily spot blazes even when the flames were relatively small and easily suppressed. In July 1996, the CIA director boasted in a public speech that his agency had recently helped the U.S. Forest Service battle a series of wildfires raging in Alaska. Support grew in the Clinton administration and in Congress for a permanent setup. The National Reconnaissance Office took the lead. Three federal agencies that ran three kinds of satellites — for monitoring land use, adversaries and the weather — helped set up the prototype. It was known as the Hazard Support System. The warning hub came to life in 1999 but died almost immediately because of lack of funds. In lamenting its demise, Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, called it “a small program with a huge return.” Congressional investigators blamed poor interagency management. Nonetheless, the idea of military aid for firefighters kept gaining support. In 2000, the Aerospace Corporation, which does research for the Pentagon, released a detailed study showing that the spacecraft could easily track grassland fires set intentionally across more than a million square miles of African savanna. In 2010, an editorial in Space News, an industry publication, called on the military to set up a national system of wildfire alerts. Experts proceeded to ask if civilian satellites — an increasing number of which have sensors that detect not only visible light but also heat rays — might be as good or even better than the military craft. In 2012, Medea, the CIA’s environmental arm, compared the two approaches in a global test. The target was Brazil and its gargantuan forests, which farmers often set ablaze to clear land. The military’s attack-warning satellites came out on top. Their geostationary positions gave them continuous views, whereas the civilian satellites in lower orbits came and went over hours and days, often leaving them unable to detect new blazes. On a temporary basis, California began using the military spacecraft to spot fires in 2018. Last year, Maj. Gen. David Baldwin, adjutant general of the California National Guard, told reporters that the state was “becoming pretty good at it.” The main problem was the limited access. Most recently, use of the military asset was set to expire Thursday, at the end of the federal government’s fiscal year. So, over the summer, the state of California mounted a lobbying campaign. In late July, Newsom made his pitch to Biden. “It’s hard,” Newsom said of the authorization process. “Every year, we fight to get a one-year extension.” The state’s congressional delegation, led by Schiff and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., sent a follow-up letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. When the request was approved, Schiff put out a statement saying the California delegation “will continue to push to make this program permanent.” In an interview, Linda Zall, a former CIA official who for decades led the agency’s fire and environmental studies, said it was “a travesty” that civilian officials faced so much resistance to a modest step that promised to substantially enhance public safety. The civilian authorities could soon get better options. Startups in Australia and Germany are planning to loft fire-spotting satellites in order to serve fast-growing international markets. And Planet, a U.S. company that built a fleet of nearly 200 imaging satellites, recently joined with a startup to assess forest-fire risks. But on the military side, things could worsen. The Department of Defense is now facing budget pressures that could end the Defense Support Program and its firefighting aid. The problem arises principally from a new defensive strategy that the Pentagon is racing to put in place. Starting in 2011, the Defense Support Program satellites were succeeded by a new generation that cost $1.7 billion per spacecraft. Six were scheduled for launch to geosynchronous orbit. By 2015, however, such giant craft were beginning to be judged as vulnerable to enemy attack. China, in particular, was seen as speeding ahead on a wide range of antisatellite arms. Today, in response, the Pentagon is rushing to build smaller, cheaper, more numerous craft. It sees the vast numbers as greatly reducing the risk of attacks successful enough to knock out vital U.S. capabilities. By 2026, it wants to have in orbit roughly 1,000 satellites, many for attack warning. The issue is considered so urgent that the Pentagon in 2019 set up a new arm, the Space Development Agency, to carry out the sweeping plan. Experts warn that the shift, and its budget repercussions, may turn the ageing spacecraft of the Defense Support Program into prime targets for termination. One proffered solution is to transfer the satellites from the Pentagon to a civilian agency, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which runs the nation’s weather satellites. Or a civilian agency could simply pick up the military’s operating costs. Harris, the former director of the National Reconnaissance Office, offered a more ambitious plan. He said the American military had tailored systems of declassification that, if applied, would let information from all its attack-warning satellites — whether old, new or middle age — be shared quickly with firefighters. It’s a moment, he said, to expand the military’s support. The wildfire situation “is going to get worse before it gets better,” Harris said. As a matter of public safety commensurate with the growing threat, he added, now is the time to “move the bureaucracy, to tell it what’s important. Let’s take advantage of these very capable resources.”

The secret war over Pentagon aid in fighting wildfires

A wildfire in Northern California has destroyed nearly 6,000 acres of land. Local authorities have arrested one woman on suspicion of arson. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas US Edition: Wildfire in Northern California destroys nearly 6,000 acres of land

President Joe Biden warned on Tuesday that the United States had only a decade left to confront a global climate crisis, using his second day touring a wildfire-ravaged West to try to rally the public, and congressional Democrats, to support measures that his administration hopes will reduce the burning of fossil fuels.

Biden’s stops this week in Colorado; Boise, Idaho; and Long Beach and the Sacramento area in California amounted to more than an opportunity to call attention to the severe destruction of wildfires and other natural disasters that have been exacerbated by climate change. The visits were a last-ditch opportunity to sell the importance of measures aimed at mitigating climate change, some of which appear increasingly at risk in his spending packages.

“A drought or a fire doesn’t see a property line,” Biden said during remarks at a federal renewable energy laboratory. “It doesn’t give a damn for which party you belong to. Disasters aren’t going to stop. That’s the nature of the climate threat. But we know what we have to do. We just need to summon the courage and the creativity to do it.”

Underscoring the urgency, Biden added: “We don’t have much more than 10 years.”

Democratic leaders drafting a $3.5 trillion spending bill are struggling to match the urgency of Biden’s pleas with pushback from energy lobbyists and some key Democrats, who want a far less expansive effort than what Biden has in mind.

On Monday, during a visit to California’s Office of Emergency Services in the Sacramento area, Biden appeared to recognize that. Before he received a briefing on the wildfire damage, he reminded dozens of emergency workers in the conference room that he was not able to include all of his proposed investments to combat climate change in a bipartisan agreement that he reached this summer on infrastructure. He said he was focused on including them in the more sweeping $3.5 trillion package but acknowledged that it could fall short of his ambitions.

“Whether that passes or not, exactly how much, I don’t know. But we’re going to get it passed,” Biden said.

Tax writers in the House have already made a concession of sorts on climate. A bill released earlier this week omits any tax on carbon emissions, even though such revenue could help pay for the giant package, which Democrats plan to pass along party lines and without Republican support.

Many Senate Democrats have pushed to include either a direct tax on emissions or an indirect one, like a tariff on goods imported from high-emission countries such as China. But the party is not aligned, and given the slim majorities in the House and Senate, such a plan would probably have trouble gaining the 50 votes needed in the Senate.

Centrist concerns over the size and scope of some proposed tax increases could force party leaders to pare back incentives for low-carbon energy deployment in the plan. So could influential Democrats who have resisted the party’s previous climate legislation, like Sen. Joe Manchin III of West Virginia.

A coal-state moderate, Manchin is the committee chair charged with drafting the Senate version of the single largest effort to reduce emissions in the bill: a carrot-and-stick approach to push electric utilities to draw more power from low-carbon sources over the coming decade.

“The transition is happening,” Manchin said, speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday. “Now they’re wanting to pay companies to do what they’re already doing. Makes no sense to me at all for us to take billions of dollars and pay utilities for what they’re going to do as the market transitions.”

He declined to comment further on Tuesday, telling reporters he preferred to negotiate in private. Senate Democrats used a weekly caucus lunch to provide an update on efforts to cobble together pieces of the legislation during the annual summer break, though it was unclear how swiftly they would reconcile differences within and between both chambers.

Biden used his western swing to highlight what his aides hope will be a call to climate action for those who have not committed to a more aggressive plan.

Throughout the trip, Biden heard from emergency officials and governors — including those at odds with the administration on the pandemic and other issues — about the urgent need to address natural disasters. Biden told the emergency workers in California that he had recently spoken with Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas, a Republican, about emergency response.

“Some of my more conservative —” Biden said before stopping himself and resuming, “some of my less believing friends in this notion of global warming are all of a sudden having an altar call.”

“They’re seeing the Lord,” Biden said.

When Biden received his fire briefing later from officials at the Office of Emergency Services, a woman presenting a map of wildfires to him could be heard saying, “That’s why this is so important.”

On Tuesday, Biden watched a wind turbine demonstration at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory Flatirons Campus in Arvada, Colorado, then recounted the damage from hurricanes and wildfires he had seen in trips across the United States this month. He called for tax credits to speed deployment of solar power and electric vehicles and for the creation of a Civilian Climate Corps to conserve public lands and help make them more resilient to climate change.

Biden’s economic team has not clarified whether the president would embrace an emissions tax as part of the package. He refused to agree to a Republican proposal to raise the federal gasoline tax to help pay for infrastructure, citing his pledge not to raise income taxes on anyone earning less than $400,000. But his administration has not objected to a tax increase on cigarettes, which the House included in its tax plan and which would disproportionately hit lower earners.

Administration officials have also not said how far a final agreement must go on emission reduction in order for Biden to accept it. Asked by a reporter in Arvada if he would sign the $3.5 trillion spending package if it included slimmed-down measures to address climate change, Biden pumped his fist. “I’m up for more climate measures,” he said.

Karine Jean-Pierre, the principal deputy press secretary, told reporters on Air Force One that Biden was strongly committed to the climate components of the bill. But, she said, “the Biden climate agenda doesn’t hinge on just reconciliation or infrastructure package alone.”

“We are looking at every sector of the economy for opportunities to grow clean-energy jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” she said, “especially in the decisive — in this decisive decade.”

President Joe Biden warned on Tuesday that the United States had only a decade left to confront a global climate crisis, using his second day touring a wildfire-ravaged West to try to rally the public, and congressional Democrats, to support measures that his administration hopes will reduce the burning of fossil fuels.

President Joe Biden warned on Tuesday that the United States had only a decade left to confront a global climate crisis, using his second day touring a wildfire-ravaged West to try to rally the public, and congressional Democrats, to support measures that his administration hopes will reduce the burning of fossil fuels. Biden’s stops this week in Colorado; Boise, Idaho; and Long Beach and the Sacramento area in California amounted to more than an opportunity to call attention to the severe destruction of wildfires and other natural disasters that have been exacerbated by climate change. The visits were a last-ditch opportunity to sell the importance of measures aimed at mitigating climate change, some of which appear increasingly at risk in his spending packages. “A drought or a fire doesn’t see a property line,” Biden said during remarks at a federal renewable energy laboratory. “It doesn’t give a damn for which party you belong to. Disasters aren’t going to stop. That’s the nature of the climate threat. But we know what we have to do. We just need to summon the courage and the creativity to do it.” Underscoring the urgency, Biden added: “We don’t have much more than 10 years.” Democratic leaders drafting a $3.5 trillion spending bill are struggling to match the urgency of Biden’s pleas with pushback from energy lobbyists and some key Democrats, who want a far less expansive effort than what Biden has in mind. On Monday, during a visit to California’s Office of Emergency Services in the Sacramento area, Biden appeared to recognize that. Before he received a briefing on the wildfire damage, he reminded dozens of emergency workers in the conference room that he was not able to include all of his proposed investments to combat climate change in a bipartisan agreement that he reached this summer on infrastructure. He said he was focused on including them in the more sweeping $3.5 trillion package but acknowledged that it could fall short of his ambitions. “Whether that passes or not, exactly how much, I don’t know. But we’re going to get it passed,” Biden said. Tax writers in the House have already made a concession of sorts on climate. A bill released earlier this week omits any tax on carbon emissions, even though such revenue could help pay for the giant package, which Democrats plan to pass along party lines and without Republican support. Many Senate Democrats have pushed to include either a direct tax on emissions or an indirect one, like a tariff on goods imported from high-emission countries such as China. But the party is not aligned, and given the slim majorities in the House and Senate, such a plan would probably have trouble gaining the 50 votes needed in the Senate. Centrist concerns over the size and scope of some proposed tax increases could force party leaders to pare back incentives for low-carbon energy deployment in the plan. So could influential Democrats who have resisted the party’s previous climate legislation, like Sen. Joe Manchin III of West Virginia. A coal-state moderate, Manchin is the committee chair charged with drafting the Senate version of the single largest effort to reduce emissions in the bill: a carrot-and-stick approach to push electric utilities to draw more power from low-carbon sources over the coming decade. “The transition is happening,” Manchin said, speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday. “Now they’re wanting to pay companies to do what they’re already doing. Makes no sense to me at all for us to take billions of dollars and pay utilities for what they’re going to do as the market transitions.” He declined to comment further on Tuesday, telling reporters he preferred to negotiate in private. Senate Democrats used a weekly caucus lunch to provide an update on efforts to cobble together pieces of the legislation during the annual summer break, though it was unclear how swiftly they would reconcile differences within and between both chambers. Biden used his western swing to highlight what his aides hope will be a call to climate action for those who have not committed to a more aggressive plan. Throughout the trip, Biden heard from emergency officials and governors — including those at odds with the administration on the pandemic and other issues — about the urgent need to address natural disasters. Biden told the emergency workers in California that he had recently spoken with Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas, a Republican, about emergency response. “Some of my more conservative —” Biden said before stopping himself and resuming, “some of my less believing friends in this notion of global warming are all of a sudden having an altar call.” “They’re seeing the Lord,” Biden said. When Biden received his fire briefing later from officials at the Office of Emergency Services, a woman presenting a map of wildfires to him could be heard saying, “That’s why this is so important.” On Tuesday, Biden watched a wind turbine demonstration at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory Flatirons Campus in Arvada, Colorado, then recounted the damage from hurricanes and wildfires he had seen in trips across the United States this month. He called for tax credits to speed deployment of solar power and electric vehicles and for the creation of a Civilian Climate Corps to conserve public lands and help make them more resilient to climate change. Biden’s economic team has not clarified whether the president would embrace an emissions tax as part of the package. He refused to agree to a Republican proposal to raise the federal gasoline tax to help pay for infrastructure, citing his pledge not to raise income taxes on anyone earning less than $400,000. But his administration has not objected to a tax increase on cigarettes, which the House included in its tax plan and which would disproportionately hit lower earners. Administration officials have also not said how far a final agreement must go on emission reduction in order for Biden to accept it. Asked by a reporter in Arvada if he would sign the $3.5 trillion spending package if it included slimmed-down measures to address climate change, Biden pumped his fist. “I’m up for more climate measures,” he said. Karine Jean-Pierre, the principal deputy press secretary, told reporters on Air Force One that Biden was strongly committed to the climate components of the bill. But, she said, “the Biden climate agenda doesn’t hinge on just reconciliation or infrastructure package alone.” “We are looking at every sector of the economy for opportunities to grow clean-energy jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” she said, “especially in the decisive — in this decisive decade.”

Biden urges climate action: ‘We don’t have much more than 10 years’

The scale of wildfires across the world has been unprecedented. Nearly 20 countries across the world have been affected. In some cases, these blazes have been raging for months.

WION Climate Tracker: Wildfires across the world

Dixie blaze: California wildfire becomes second-worst in state's history

The monstrous&nbsp;Dixie&nbsp;Fire&nbsp;in northern California has grown to become the second-largest wildfire in state history, authorities said Sunday, with three people reported missing and thousands fleeing the advancing flames.

As of Sunday, the&nbsp;fire&nbsp;had destroyed 489,287 acres (198,007 hectares), authorities said, up from the previous day's 447,723 acres. It now covers an area larger than Los Angeles.

The&nbsp;Dixie&nbsp;blaze is the largest active wildfire in the United States, but only one of 11 major wildfires in California.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/dixie-blaze-california-wildfire-becomes-second-worst-in-states-history-404173">Dixie blaze: California wildfire becomes second-worst in state's history</a>

Over the weekend, it surpassed the 2018 Mendocino Complex&nbsp;Fire&nbsp;to make it the second-worst&nbsp;fire&nbsp;in state history.

"It was like driving out of a war zone that you see in a movie," Tami Kugler told AFP, sitting beside her tent at an evacuation station after fleeing the historic town of Greenville before it burned down.

"My neighbourhood is gone -- I mean gone, gone. Everybody I care and love about that's in that neighbourhood, their homes are gone," she said, adding: "I didn't have insurance."

On Saturday, Governor Gavin Newsom visited the charred remains of Greenville, expressing his "deep gratitude" to the teams fighting the flames.

He said authorities had to devote more resources to managing forests and preventing fires.

But he added that "the dries are getting a lot drier, it is hotter than it has ever been... we need to acknowledge just straight up these are climate-induced wildfires."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dixie-fire-becomes-third-largest-in-california-history-403598">Dixie fire becomes third-largest in California history</a>

Climate change amplifies droughts, creating ideal conditions for wildfires to spread out of control and inflict unprecedented material and environmental damage.

The&nbsp;Dixie&nbsp;blaze, which on Saturday left three firefighters injured, remained 21 per cent contained Sunday, unchanged from the day before, the CalFire website reported.

Crews estimate the&nbsp;fire, which began July 13, will not be fully extinguished for two weeks.

Higher temperatures forecast&nbsp;

Weak winds and higher humidity have provided some succour to firefighters, but they are bracing for higher temperatures expected to exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius) in the coming days.

Heavy smoke was making driving hazardous for&nbsp;fire&nbsp;crews in some areas, and steep trails also made access difficult.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/dixie-wildfire-largest-single-blaze-in-california-history-404174/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The state's eight largest wildfires have all come since December 2017. The still-blackened scars of previous fires have aided&nbsp;Dixie&nbsp;Fire&nbsp;crews at times, reducing available fuel.

Thousands of residents have fled the area, many forced to find temporary housing -- even living in tents, and often unsure whether their homes have survived.

At an evacuation site under smoky skies in Susanville, exhausted families sat in folding chairs beside tents and vehicles packed with belongings grabbed from their abandoned homes.

The Plumas County sheriff's office said it was still searching for three people listed as missing after two others were found over the weekend.

The&nbsp;Dixie&nbsp;Fire&nbsp;has already destroyed about 400 structures -- gutting Greenville -- and CalFire said workers and equipment were being deployed to save homes in the small town of Crescent Mills, three miles (five kilometres) southeast of Greenville.

More than 5,000 personnel are now battling the&nbsp;Dixie&nbsp;blaze.

Despite repeated evacuation orders from the authorities, some residents have refused to flee, preferring to try to fight the&nbsp;fire&nbsp;on their own rather than leave their property.

By late July, the number of acres burned in California was up more than 250 per cent from 2020, itself the worst year of wildfires in the state's modern history.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-report-warns-more-vicious-floods-heatwaves-worsening-droughts-and-rise-in-sea-levels-404186">UN report warns more vicious floods, heatwaves, worsening droughts and rise in sea levels</a>

A long-term drought that scientists say is driven by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/climate-change">climate change</a> has left much of the western United States and Canada parched, and vulnerable to explosive and highly destructive fires.

A preliminary investigation has suggested the&nbsp;Dixie&nbsp;Fire&nbsp;was started when a tree fell on a power cable owned by regional utility Pacific Gas &amp; Company (PG&amp;E), a private operator that was earlier blamed for the Camp&nbsp;Fire&nbsp;in 2018, which killed 86 people.

The monstrous Dixie Fire in northern California has grown to become the second-largest wildfire in state history, authorities said Sunday, with three people reported missing and thousands fleeing the advancing flames.

The monstrous Dixie Fire in northern California has grown to become the second-largest wildfire in state history, authorities said Sunday, with three people reported missing and thousands fleeing the advancing flames. As of Sunday, the fire had destroyed 489,287 acres (198,007 hectares), authorities said, up from the previous day's 447,723 acres. It now covers an area larger than Los Angeles. The Dixie blaze is the largest active wildfire in the United States, but only one of 11 major wildfires in California. Also read | Dixie blaze: California wildfire becomes second-worst in state's history Over the weekend, it surpassed the 2018 Mendocino Complex Fire to make it the second-worst fire in state history. "It was like driving out of a war zone that you see in a movie," Tami Kugler told AFP, sitting beside her tent at an evacuation station after fleeing the historic town of Greenville before it burned down. "My neighbourhood is gone -- I mean gone, gone. Everybody I care and love about that's in that neighbourhood, their homes are gone," she said, adding: "I didn't have insurance." On Saturday, Governor Gavin Newsom visited the charred remains of Greenville, expressing his "deep gratitude" to the teams fighting the flames. He said authorities had to devote more resources to managing forests and preventing fires. But he added that "the dries are getting a lot drier, it is hotter than it has ever been... we need to acknowledge just straight up these are climate-induced wildfires." Also read | Dixie fire becomes third-largest in California history Climate change amplifies droughts, creating ideal conditions for wildfires to spread out of control and inflict unprecedented material and environmental damage. The Dixie blaze, which on Saturday left three firefighters injured, remained 21 per cent contained Sunday, unchanged from the day before, the CalFire website reported. Crews estimate the fire, which began July 13, will not be fully extinguished for two weeks. Higher temperatures forecast Weak winds and higher humidity have provided some succour to firefighters, but they are bracing for higher temperatures expected to exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius) in the coming days. Heavy smoke was making driving hazardous for fire crews in some areas, and steep trails also made access difficult. The state's eight largest wildfires have all come since December 2017. The still-blackened scars of previous fires have aided Dixie Fire crews at times, reducing available fuel. Thousands of residents have fled the area, many forced to find temporary housing -- even living in tents, and often unsure whether their homes have survived. At an evacuation site under smoky skies in Susanville, exhausted families sat in folding chairs beside tents and vehicles packed with belongings grabbed from their abandoned homes. The Plumas County sheriff's office said it was still searching for three people listed as missing after two others were found over the weekend. The Dixie Fire has already destroyed about 400 structures -- gutting Greenville -- and CalFire said workers and equipment were being deployed to save homes in the small town of Crescent Mills, three miles (five kilometres) southeast of Greenville. More than 5,000 personnel are now battling the Dixie blaze. Despite repeated evacuation orders from the authorities, some residents have refused to flee, preferring to try to fight the fire on their own rather than leave their property. By late July, the number of acres burned in California was up more than 250 per cent from 2020, itself the worst year of wildfires in the state's modern history. Also read | UN report warns more vicious floods, heatwaves, worsening droughts and rise in sea levels A long-term drought that scientists say is driven by climate change has left much of the western United States and Canada parched, and vulnerable to explosive and highly destructive fires. A preliminary investigation has suggested the Dixie Fire was started when a tree fell on a power cable owned by regional utility Pacific Gas & Company (PG&E), a private operator that was earlier blamed for the Camp Fire in 2018, which killed 86 people.

California Dixie wildfire now second-worst in state history

Wildfires continues to sweep across Southern California. The fast-moving blazes critically injured two firefighters and left more than 100,000 under evacuation orders.

Your Story: Fast-moving wildfires prompt evacuations in California

Firefighters in the Pacific Northwest got a helping hand from cooler, damp weather in their battle against an array of deadly wildfires on Saturday, even as uncooperative winds in Southern California spread another landscape-scorching blaze.

The weather shift, which followed intermittently heavy showers on Friday, helped more than 9,000 personnel fight 29 wildfires across Washington and Oregon, including the Riverside Fire southeast of Portland, the U.S. Forestry Service said.

Firefighters can expect another 2 to 4 inches of rain in the next week for coastal Oregon and parts of the Cascade Mountains, said David Roth, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service`s Weather Prediction Center in College Park Maryland.

"That`ll be over the next three to seven days, which should at least help," Roth said. "Something is better than nothing."

But even after the rainfall west of the Cascade Mountains, the fire was still feeding on deep layers of long-dead vegetation that is abundant in the western wilderness, a fire report read.

"Rain doesn’t do much to put out the fire unless we get a lot of it,"&nbsp;Incident Commander Alan Sinclair said in a statement. "But the good news is the cool, damp weather is moderating fire activity and giving us a chance to make progress in containment efforts."

The Riverside Fire has burned nearly 138,000 acres (55,847 hectares) and is only 11% contained,

The unusually ferocious wildfires have claimed at least eight lives in Oregon and one in Washington state, blackening 1.7 million acres (650,000 hectares) in the two states since Labor Day and incinerating several small towns.

Oregon emergency management officials have warned the death toll there could climb as search teams scour the ruins of thousands of homes engulfed in flames during chaotic evacuations early in the disaster.

Thousands of evacuees, particularly in Oregon, have been forced into emergency shelters, mobile trailers and hotel rooms.

To the south, flames have charred a record 3.5 million acres (1.3 million hectares) in California, killing 26 people and destroying more than 5,800 structures since mid-August, the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said.

A force of more than 19,000 firefighters made headway against the 27 major blazes they have been battling since August as searing temperatures diminished somewhat, Cal Fire said.

But at least one blaze, the Bobcat Fire in the San Gabriel Mountains northeast of Los Angeles, spread rapidly in high winds leaving more than 91,000 acres (36,826 hectares) scorched, it said. The cause of the fire, which has containment lines set up only on 15% of its perimeter, is being investigated, it added.

Winds remain a threat, with forecasts calling for gusts up to 25 mph (40 kph) amid very low humidity, it said.

Roth, at the Weather Prediction Center, said that there is almost no rain in sight for California.

"There`s very little for California, maybe some in the far north near the Oregon border," he said.

Despite the moderating temperatures in the south, weather in the northern part of the state is forecast to return to a warm, dry pattern, and warming conditions throughout the state early next week are expected to bring elevated fire danger, it said.

Firefighters in the Pacific Northwest got a helping hand from cooler, damp weather in their battle against an array of deadly wildfires on Saturday, even as uncooperative winds in Southern California spread another landscape-scorching blaze.

Firefighters in the Pacific Northwest got a helping hand from cooler, damp weather in their battle against an array of deadly wildfires on Saturday, even as uncooperative winds in Southern California spread another landscape-scorching blaze. The weather shift, which followed intermittently heavy showers on Friday, helped more than 9,000 personnel fight 29 wildfires across Washington and Oregon, including the Riverside Fire southeast of Portland, the U.S. Forestry Service said. Firefighters can expect another 2 to 4 inches of rain in the next week for coastal Oregon and parts of the Cascade Mountains, said David Roth, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service`s Weather Prediction Center in College Park Maryland. "That`ll be over the next three to seven days, which should at least help," Roth said. "Something is better than nothing." But even after the rainfall west of the Cascade Mountains, the fire was still feeding on deep layers of long-dead vegetation that is abundant in the western wilderness, a fire report read. "Rain doesn’t do much to put out the fire unless we get a lot of it," Incident Commander Alan Sinclair said in a statement. "But the good news is the cool, damp weather is moderating fire activity and giving us a chance to make progress in containment efforts." The Riverside Fire has burned nearly 138,000 acres (55,847 hectares) and is only 11% contained, The unusually ferocious wildfires have claimed at least eight lives in Oregon and one in Washington state, blackening 1.7 million acres (650,000 hectares) in the two states since Labor Day and incinerating several small towns. Oregon emergency management officials have warned the death toll there could climb as search teams scour the ruins of thousands of homes engulfed in flames during chaotic evacuations early in the disaster. Thousands of evacuees, particularly in Oregon, have been forced into emergency shelters, mobile trailers and hotel rooms. To the south, flames have charred a record 3.5 million acres (1.3 million hectares) in California, killing 26 people and destroying more than 5,800 structures since mid-August, the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said. A force of more than 19,000 firefighters made headway against the 27 major blazes they have been battling since August as searing temperatures diminished somewhat, Cal Fire said. But at least one blaze, the Bobcat Fire in the San Gabriel Mountains northeast of Los Angeles, spread rapidly in high winds leaving more than 91,000 acres (36,826 hectares) scorched, it said. The cause of the fire, which has containment lines set up only on 15% of its perimeter, is being investigated, it added. Winds remain a threat, with forecasts calling for gusts up to 25 mph (40 kph) amid very low humidity, it said. Roth, at the Weather Prediction Center, said that there is almost no rain in sight for California. "There`s very little for California, maybe some in the far north near the Oregon border," he said. Despite the moderating temperatures in the south, weather in the northern part of the state is forecast to return to a warm, dry pattern, and warming conditions throughout the state early next week are expected to bring elevated fire danger, it said.

Firefighters in US northwest aided by weather, as winds drive California blaze

A firefighter has lost his life while trying to contain the spread of the wildfire in California that started nearly two weeks ago when a couple hosted a gender-reveal party in the forest.

The serviceman was trying to put off fire in the&nbsp;San Bernardino National Forest east of Los Angeles. His death toll has increased the death toll to 35, out of which two victims were firefighters. In total, 12 firefighters have suffered minor injuries and at least 10 structures have been destroyed by that fire.

The details about his identity have not been revealed yet, in order to first tell his kin. The only thing known as of now is tat he lost his life in the El Dorado Fire.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/headaches-and-hospital-visits-rise-as-wildfire-smoke-blankets-western-us-327971">Also read:&nbsp;Headaches and hospital visits rise as wildfire smoke blankets western US</a>

The fire started after the gender-reveal party which was hosted by a couple two weeks back, and has since then spread across nearly 21,000 acres and has only been contained up to 66 per cent till Friday.

Wildfires have been polluting the environment for the past few weeks across the state of California — of which some were man-made and some started due to the high temperatures and lightning storms.

While citizens were rescued from the area, the heavy rainfall since yesterday is a welcome change for the firefighters trying to contain the spread of the wildfire.However, authorities have warned locals to stay alert about any further announcement of floods that can be caused due to heavy rainfall.

A firefighter has lost his life while trying to contain the spread of the wildfire in California that started nearly two weeks ago when a couple hosted a gender-reveal party in the forest.

A firefighter has lost his life while trying to contain the spread of the wildfire in California that started nearly two weeks ago when a couple hosted a gender-reveal party in the forest. The serviceman was trying to put off fire in the San Bernardino National Forest east of Los Angeles. His death toll has increased the death toll to 35, out of which two victims were firefighters. In total, 12 firefighters have suffered minor injuries and at least 10 structures have been destroyed by that fire. The details about his identity have not been revealed yet, in order to first tell his kin. The only thing known as of now is tat he lost his life in the El Dorado Fire. Also read: Headaches and hospital visits rise as wildfire smoke blankets western US The fire started after the gender-reveal party which was hosted by a couple two weeks back, and has since then spread across nearly 21,000 acres and has only been contained up to 66 per cent till Friday. Wildfires have been polluting the environment for the past few weeks across the state of California — of which some were man-made and some started due to the high temperatures and lightning storms. While citizens were rescued from the area, the heavy rainfall since yesterday is a welcome change for the firefighters trying to contain the spread of the wildfire.However, authorities have warned locals to stay alert about any further announcement of floods that can be caused due to heavy rainfall.

Rains help douse California wildfire; firefighter loses his life

More than 30 lost has their lives as wild fires sweeps through the US West Coast states. Most of these fatalities are from California & Oregon.

Wild fires sweeps through the US West Coast states, more than 30 lost their lives

Wildfires are sweeping through the US west coast states. More than 30 people have lost their lives. Watch report.

US Wildfires weep through west coast: Burnt area roughly the size of New Jersey

Wildfires have killed at least 28 people in the three contiguous West Coast states since mid-August, including 19 in California. Dozens of people are missing and thousands have been displaced.

28 people dead and dozens more are missing as fires ravage the US West Coast

The 2020 wildfire season in California has been record-breaking with massive clouds of smoke, reeky orange skies and thousands of destroyed homes. The most populous state in America has not witnessed such a spectacle of horror in recent history.

More than 2 million acres of land has got burnt so far which is more than 10 times the size of New York City. 1,000 acres of land has been burning every minute that is one football field burning every 30 minutes.

Five of the current fires are among the 20 largest wildfires in California's history. As they burn at a distance a dangerous Instagram filter has cast its shadow on San Francisco which is the commercial capital of California.

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The city now resembles a scene straight out of Mars with a person unable to distinguish between night and day. Back in the wild, the scenery is even more apocalyptic. The wildfires are threatening local communities in forest areas and due to the flames August has turned out to be California's warmest month on record.

It has further set the stage for extraordinary streaks of fires in the coming days with some 3 million homes at risk of being ravaged and at least 64,000 people having been forced to evacuate.

"Our refrigerator broke down in our trailer. Our lights went out, we got a flat tire, it's been really difficult," Tammy Johnson, resident of Auberry, said.

First the virus, then social unrest and now the wildfire, this may just be the worst summer in American history.

The 2020 wildfire season in California has been record-breaking with massive clouds of smoke, reeky orange skies and thousands of destroyed homes. The most populous state in America has not witnessed such a spectacle of horror in recent history.

The 2020 wildfire season in California has been record-breaking with massive clouds of smoke, reeky orange skies and thousands of destroyed homes. The most populous state in America has not witnessed such a spectacle of horror in recent history. More than 2 million acres of land has got burnt so far which is more than 10 times the size of New York City. 1,000 acres of land has been burning every minute that is one football field burning every 30 minutes. Five of the current fires are among the 20 largest wildfires in California's history. As they burn at a distance a dangerous Instagram filter has cast its shadow on San Francisco which is the commercial capital of California. × The city now resembles a scene straight out of Mars with a person unable to distinguish between night and day. Back in the wild, the scenery is even more apocalyptic. The wildfires are threatening local communities in forest areas and due to the flames August has turned out to be California's warmest month on record. It has further set the stage for extraordinary streaks of fires in the coming days with some 3 million homes at risk of being ravaged and at least 64,000 people having been forced to evacuate. "Our refrigerator broke down in our trailer. Our lights went out, we got a flat tire, it's been really difficult," Tammy Johnson, resident of Auberry, said. First the virus, then social unrest and now the wildfire, this may just be the worst summer in American history.

After virus and social unrest, now wildfires hit California

Dubai-based Syrian influencers&nbsp;Anas and Asala Marwah on Tuesday hosted a gender reveal party at one of the world's tallest buildings, Burj Khalifa.

The incident has taken place&nbsp;right after the news that a gender reveal party sparked a wildfire in California that has burned more than 7,000 acres (2,800 hectares) of land and caused several residents to leave their homes.

Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/california-gender-reveal-party-sparks-fire-that-burned-7000-acres-of-land-325761">California: Gender reveal party sparks fire that burned 7,000 acres of land</a>

A video posted by the couple on their&nbsp;YouTube channel called&nbsp;'The Anasala Family', which has a following of&nbsp;over 7 million,&nbsp;shows the tower light up in blue after a dramatic countdown has gone viral&nbsp;on social media and has garnered over 15 million views.

The stunt, which has literally taken gender reveal parties to new heights,&nbsp;reportedly cost the duo&nbsp;over $100,000.

Their gender reveal has been viewed 1.7 million times on Instagram.

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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CE7NMiUAeCb/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">عايلة انصالة شكرا لكم على حبكم!! شكرا لانكم جزء من حياتنا، قصتنا و كل شي نسويه! We love you! ITS A BOY🙏 @emaardubai @burjkhalifa @mydubai @thedubaimall @namshi thank you for welcoming us here, being a part of our family, and most importantly this amazing surprise! Too much love❤️ #الحمدلله #thankyouEmaar #biggestbabyrevealever #anasalaBKReveal</a>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/anasmarwah/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Anas Marwah | انس مروة</a> (@anasmarwah) on <time datetime="2020-09-09T18:14:55+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Sep 9, 2020 at 11:14am PDT</time>
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However, it has received mixed reactions. Several people&nbsp;criticised the event and called it ''lavish''.

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Syrians are displaced internally, displaced externally, in squalid camps and under trees, hungry, in need of aid, food, baby milk and medical supplies and treatment and the son of former Syrian Coalition member spends $95,000 on a gender reveal party. Disgustingly shameful. <a href="https://t.co/r1aXZkyoUk">https://t.co/r1aXZkyoUk</a>
— rebels wear masks (@riseuprebel) <a href="https://twitter.com/riseuprebel/status/1303835052095176705?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Someone did a gender reveal on the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Cost 350 grand or so they say. Gammiest looking thing I’ve ever seen. <a href="https://t.co/Z93GpNMWRJ">pic.twitter.com/Z93GpNMWRJ</a>
— Aifric Ní Chríodáin (@aifreckle) <a href="https://twitter.com/aifreckle/status/1303817730957737994?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2020</a></blockquote>
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It still remains unclear&nbsp;whether the couple paid for the event themselves or if it was part of a promotional deal with the city.

Dubai-based Syrian influencers Anas and Asala Marwah on Tuesday hosted a gender reveal party at one of the world's tallest buildings, Burj Khalifa. The incident has taken place right after the news that a gender reveal party sparked a wildfire in California that has burned more than 7,000 acres (2,800 hectares) of land and caused several residents to leave their homes.

Dubai-based Syrian influencers Anas and Asala Marwah on Tuesday hosted a gender reveal party at one of the world's tallest buildings, Burj Khalifa. The incident has taken place right after the news that a gender reveal party sparked a wildfire in California that has burned more than 7,000 acres (2,800 hectares) of land and caused several residents to leave their homes. Also read| California: Gender reveal party sparks fire that burned 7,000 acres of land A video posted by the couple on their YouTube channel called 'The Anasala Family', which has a following of over 7 million, shows the tower light up in blue after a dramatic countdown has gone viral on social media and has garnered over 15 million views. The stunt, which has literally taken gender reveal parties to new heights, reportedly cost the duo over $100,000. Their gender reveal has been viewed 1.7 million times on Instagram. View this post on Instagram عايلة انصالة شكرا لكم على حبكم!! شكرا لانكم جزء من حياتنا، قصتنا و كل شي نسويه! We love you! ITS A BOY🙏 @emaardubai @burjkhalifa @mydubai @thedubaimall @namshi thank you for welcoming us here, being a part of our family, and most importantly this amazing surprise! Too much love❤️ #الحمدلله #thankyouEmaar #biggestbabyrevealever #anasalaBKReveal A post shared by Anas Marwah | انس مروة (@anasmarwah) on Sep 9, 2020 at 11:14am PDT However, it has received mixed reactions. Several people criticised the event and called it ''lavish''. Syrians are displaced internally, displaced externally, in squalid camps and under trees, hungry, in need of aid, food, baby milk and medical supplies and treatment and the son of former Syrian Coalition member spends $95,000 on a gender reveal party. Disgustingly shameful. https://t.co/r1aXZkyoUk — rebels wear masks (@riseuprebel) September 9, 2020 × Someone did a gender reveal on the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Cost 350 grand or so they say. Gammiest looking thing I’ve ever seen. pic.twitter.com/Z93GpNMWRJ — Aifric Ní Chríodáin (@aifreckle) September 9, 2020 × It still remains unclear whether the couple paid for the event themselves or if it was part of a promotional deal with the city.

Despite California wildfire debacle, Dubai couple hosts lavish gender reveal party

A massive wildfire that is ravaging parts of the US state of Oregon has turned the skies into a dark reddish-orange colour.

California: US Marines join firefighting operations in Oregon

A massive wildfire that is ravaging parts of the US state of Oregon has turned the skies into a dark reddish-orange colour

Sky turns hellish red as Oregon burn from wildfires

Wildfires in Washington have torched a record more than two million acres, the state fire department said Wednesday, as an uncontrolled blaze forced many residents to flee their homes.

330,000 acres of forest area burnt in Washington in last 24 hours

Over 200 people, who were trapped in wildfires in northern California, were airlifted to safety by members of the California National Guard, officials said on Sunday.

The blazes blocked the escape routes in Mammoth Pool Reservoir in the Sierra National Forest, nearly 45 miles (70 kilometres) northeast of Fresno and the campers were asked to "shelter in place" as fire crew members worked for hours to gain access to the region.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wildfires-have-burned-1-million-acres-in-california-in-just-a-week-322467">Wildfires have burned 1 million acres in California in just a week</a>

Military helicopters were then used to rescue people stuck in the wildfires.&nbsp;

In pics |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/california-braces-for-record-breaking-heat-wave-on-labour-day-weekend-325378#dangerous-fire-weather-conditions-325367">California braces for record-breaking heat wave on Labour Day weekend</a>

As many as 63 people required medical attention, including at least 17 who were severely wounded and admitted to hospitals after landing in Fresno.&nbsp;

"Simply extraordinary, lifesaving work by the @CalGuard airlifting more than 200 people to safety overnight from the imminent danger of the #CreekFire," said Army General Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, on Twitter.

The US Forest Services said the Creek Fire, which started on Friday, has extended to 45,500 acres (18,400 hectares), making it one of the largest fires in the state that is witnessing several of them.&nbsp;

With record high temperatures of 125 Fahrenheit (49 Celsius) and forecasts of high mercury levels in three-day Labor Day weekend, massive fires are expected in California.&nbsp;

(With AFP, Reuters inputs)

Over 200 people, who were trapped in wildfires in northern California, were airlifted to safety by members of the California National Guard, officials said on Sunday.

Over 200 people, who were trapped in wildfires in northern California, were airlifted to safety by members of the California National Guard, officials said on Sunday. The blazes blocked the escape routes in Mammoth Pool Reservoir in the Sierra National Forest, nearly 45 miles (70 kilometres) northeast of Fresno and the campers were asked to "shelter in place" as fire crew members worked for hours to gain access to the region. Also read | Wildfires have burned 1 million acres in California in just a week Military helicopters were then used to rescue people stuck in the wildfires. In pics | California braces for record-breaking heat wave on Labour Day weekend As many as 63 people required medical attention, including at least 17 who were severely wounded and admitted to hospitals after landing in Fresno. "Simply extraordinary, lifesaving work by the @CalGuard airlifting more than 200 people to safety overnight from the imminent danger of the #CreekFire," said Army General Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, on Twitter. The US Forest Services said the Creek Fire, which started on Friday, has extended to 45,500 acres (18,400 hectares), making it one of the largest fires in the state that is witnessing several of them. With record high temperatures of 125 Fahrenheit (49 Celsius) and forecasts of high mercury levels in three-day Labor Day weekend, massive fires are expected in California. (With AFP, Reuters inputs)

California wildfires: Military helicopters used to rescue over 200 people

A firework at a gender reveal party sparked a wildfire in California that has burned more than 7,000 acres (2,800 hectares) of land and caused several residents to leave their homes, the fire department on Sunday said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/california-wildfires-military-helicopters-used-to-rescue-over-200-people-325619">California wildfires: Military helicopters used to rescue over 200 people</a>

"CAL FIRE Law Enforcement has determined the El Dorado Fire, burning near Oak Glen in San Bernardino County, was caused by a smoke generating pyrotechnic device, used during a gender reveal party," Cal Fire, the official account of California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, said on Twitter.

In pics | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/california-braces-for-record-breaking-heat-wave-on-labour-day-weekend-325378#dangerous-fire-weather-conditions-325367">California braces for record-breaking heat wave on Labour Day weekend</a>

They also said over 500 firefighters and four choppers are deployed to abate the fire in El Dorado, east of San Bernardino, which was started early on Saturday.&nbsp;

"Those responsible for starting fires due to negligence or illegal activity can be held financially and criminally responsible," the state fire services said.&nbsp;

Gender reveal parties are organised during pregnancy to ascertain the sex of the to-be born child, where pink and blue smoke fireworks often take place.&nbsp;

Earlier, on Sunday, over 200 people who were trapped in fires in northern California were airlifted with the help of helicopters by the California National Guard.&nbsp;

High temperatures and dry conditions have led to massive fires in the US state this season, which destroyed 1.6 million acres of land.&nbsp;

The National Weather Service on Sunday said that a record 121 degrees Fahrenheit (49 Celsius) was recorded on Sunday in Woodland Hills, highest-ever for Los Angeles county. &nbsp;

A firework at a gender reveal party sparked a wildfire in California that has burned more than 7,000 acres (2,800 hectares) of land and caused several residents to leave their homes, the fire department on Sunday said.

A firework at a gender reveal party sparked a wildfire in California that has burned more than 7,000 acres (2,800 hectares) of land and caused several residents to leave their homes, the fire department on Sunday said. Also read | California wildfires: Military helicopters used to rescue over 200 people "CAL FIRE Law Enforcement has determined the El Dorado Fire, burning near Oak Glen in San Bernardino County, was caused by a smoke generating pyrotechnic device, used during a gender reveal party," Cal Fire, the official account of California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, said on Twitter. In pics | California braces for record-breaking heat wave on Labour Day weekend They also said over 500 firefighters and four choppers are deployed to abate the fire in El Dorado, east of San Bernardino, which was started early on Saturday. "Those responsible for starting fires due to negligence or illegal activity can be held financially and criminally responsible," the state fire services said. Gender reveal parties are organised during pregnancy to ascertain the sex of the to-be born child, where pink and blue smoke fireworks often take place. Earlier, on Sunday, over 200 people who were trapped in fires in northern California were airlifted with the help of helicopters by the California National Guard. High temperatures and dry conditions have led to massive fires in the US state this season, which destroyed 1.6 million acres of land. The National Weather Service on Sunday said that a record 121 degrees Fahrenheit (49 Celsius) was recorded on Sunday in Woodland Hills, highest-ever for Los Angeles county.

California: Gender reveal party sparks fire that burned 7,000 acres of land

US state California continues to battle wildfire that has forced thousands to evacuate. The firefighters are struggling to contain blaze. Several areas have reported power outages as the fire damaged transformers.

Wildfire in the US state forces thousands to evacuate

Two of the three largest wildfires ever recorded in California have scorched through more than 1m acres, displaced more than 100,000 people

California wildfire death toll up to seven; Scorched over 1 Mn acres

California`s lightning-sparked wildfires more than doubled in size into some of the largest in state history on Friday, forcing over 175,000 people to flee their homes.

At least six people have died, 43 fire fighters and civilians have been injured, and over 500 homes and other structures destroyed as one fire burned within a mile of the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) campus.

Firefighting forces were depleted from over 370 fires and so far only 45 of 375 out-of-state fire crews requested by California had arrived, said a spokeswoman for wildfire authority Cal Fire.

The state has been hit by its worst dry-lightning storms in nearly two decades. Over 11,000 strikes have sent fire racing through grassland and forest parched by record-breaking heat.

Most of the fires are in the San Francisco Bay Area, with a complex of blazes east of Palo Alto and another in wine country south of Sacramento now the seventh and tenth largest in state history, respectively, according to Cal Fire.

"The fire continues to advance, and much of what will happen next depends on weather conditions such as wind direction and speed," UCSC Chancellor Cynthia Larive wrote in a tweet, after ordering the evacuation of the campus, which is located in hills around three miles (4.8 km) northwest of coastal city Santa Cruz`s boardwalk.

"We`re still understaffed for a fire of this size," said Daniel Potter, a Cal Fire spokesman, in reference to the Santa Cruz blaze, which has forced 64,000 people to evacuate from vulnerable towns where houses are built amongst the trees.

One of those is Felton, a community of 4,000, where some stayed behind to defend homes after fire torched houses and California`s oldest state park to the north, a Reuters photographer said.

Around 1,000 firefighters in the area fought multiple fires blown in shifting directions by erratic winds as propane tanks and ammunition stores exploded in homes, he said.

In the North Bay Area, four people died in a cluster of fires that have destroyed over 480 homes and structures in wine counties such as Napa, Solano and Sonoma, Cal Fire reported.

A utility crewman died on Wednesday while on duty helping clear electrical hazards for first-responders at the same fire, dubbed the LNU Complex. Earlier that day, the pilot of a firefighting helicopter contracted by the state was killed in a crash in Fresno County.

The largest fire, known as the SCU Complex, east of Palo Alto, more than doubled in size from Thursday to around 230,000 acres or 359 square miles, an area approaching the size of New York City.

California`s lightning-sparked wildfires more than doubled in size into some of the largest in state history on Friday, forcing over 175,000 people to flee their homes.

California`s lightning-sparked wildfires more than doubled in size into some of the largest in state history on Friday, forcing over 175,000 people to flee their homes. At least six people have died, 43 fire fighters and civilians have been injured, and over 500 homes and other structures destroyed as one fire burned within a mile of the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) campus. Firefighting forces were depleted from over 370 fires and so far only 45 of 375 out-of-state fire crews requested by California had arrived, said a spokeswoman for wildfire authority Cal Fire. The state has been hit by its worst dry-lightning storms in nearly two decades. Over 11,000 strikes have sent fire racing through grassland and forest parched by record-breaking heat. Most of the fires are in the San Francisco Bay Area, with a complex of blazes east of Palo Alto and another in wine country south of Sacramento now the seventh and tenth largest in state history, respectively, according to Cal Fire. "The fire continues to advance, and much of what will happen next depends on weather conditions such as wind direction and speed," UCSC Chancellor Cynthia Larive wrote in a tweet, after ordering the evacuation of the campus, which is located in hills around three miles (4.8 km) northwest of coastal city Santa Cruz`s boardwalk. "We`re still understaffed for a fire of this size," said Daniel Potter, a Cal Fire spokesman, in reference to the Santa Cruz blaze, which has forced 64,000 people to evacuate from vulnerable towns where houses are built amongst the trees. One of those is Felton, a community of 4,000, where some stayed behind to defend homes after fire torched houses and California`s oldest state park to the north, a Reuters photographer said. Around 1,000 firefighters in the area fought multiple fires blown in shifting directions by erratic winds as propane tanks and ammunition stores exploded in homes, he said. In the North Bay Area, four people died in a cluster of fires that have destroyed over 480 homes and structures in wine counties such as Napa, Solano and Sonoma, Cal Fire reported. A utility crewman died on Wednesday while on duty helping clear electrical hazards for first-responders at the same fire, dubbed the LNU Complex. Earlier that day, the pilot of a firefighting helicopter contracted by the state was killed in a crash in Fresno County. The largest fire, known as the SCU Complex, east of Palo Alto, more than doubled in size from Thursday to around 230,000 acres or 359 square miles, an area approaching the size of New York City.

California fires double in size, flames approach university campus

Bushfires to floods: The year of natural disasters

US President Donald Trump threatened once again Sunday to withhold federal aid from California after its Democratic governor criticized his environmental policies.

Over the past two weeks, fires have ravaged nearly 100,000 acres (40,000 hectares) in the sprawling western state, where firefighters on Sunday were battling the Maria Fire, about 60 miles (100 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles.

Taking a line of attack he first used last year when fires killed 86 people in northern California, Trump blamed Governor Gavin Newsom, saying he had done "a terrible job of forest management."

"Every year, as the fire's (sic) rage &amp; California burns, it is the same thing and then he comes to the Federal Government for $$$ help. No more. Get your act together Governor," he said on Twitter. &nbsp;

Newsom, responding on Twitter, brushed off Trump's criticism in a terse 12 words: "You don't believe in climate change. You are excused from this conversation."

Newsom had offered a fuller critique in a recent interview with The New York Times, pointing to Trump's roll-back of environmental protections.

"We're waging war against the most destructive fires in our state's history," he said, "and Trump is conducting a full-on assault against the antidote."

The president has on several occasions openly questioned the scientific consensus that human activity causes changes in the climate, and notably the drought that has contributed to the California fires.

His administration decided on September 18 to revoke California's authority to set its own standards for automobile pollution.

Newsom criticized the Republican government's ambivalence in dealing with the disasters.

"Last night they approved seven additional emergency grants in record time," Newsom told the Times. "But what's so insidious, and what's so remarkable is that he's doing everything right to respond to these disasters and everything wrong to address what's happening to cause them."

Far from the political struggles, firefighters were continuing to press their fight against the Maria Fire, which they said Sunday is now 70 per cent contained, and the Kincade Fire north of San Francisco, now 78 per cent contained.

Other fires, including some that threatened multi-million-dollar homes and iconic institutions in the Los Angeles area, have subsided, and residents who had evacuated are beginning to return home.

US President Donald Trump threatened once again Sunday to withhold federal aid from California after its Democratic governor criticized his environmental policies.

US President Donald Trump threatened once again Sunday to withhold federal aid from California after its Democratic governor criticized his environmental policies. Over the past two weeks, fires have ravaged nearly 100,000 acres (40,000 hectares) in the sprawling western state, where firefighters on Sunday were battling the Maria Fire, about 60 miles (100 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles. Taking a line of attack he first used last year when fires killed 86 people in northern California, Trump blamed Governor Gavin Newsom, saying he had done "a terrible job of forest management." "Every year, as the fire's (sic) rage & California burns, it is the same thing and then he comes to the Federal Government for $$$ help. No more. Get your act together Governor," he said on Twitter. Newsom, responding on Twitter, brushed off Trump's criticism in a terse 12 words: "You don't believe in climate change. You are excused from this conversation." Newsom had offered a fuller critique in a recent interview with The New York Times, pointing to Trump's roll-back of environmental protections. "We're waging war against the most destructive fires in our state's history," he said, "and Trump is conducting a full-on assault against the antidote." The president has on several occasions openly questioned the scientific consensus that human activity causes changes in the climate, and notably the drought that has contributed to the California fires. His administration decided on September 18 to revoke California's authority to set its own standards for automobile pollution. Newsom criticized the Republican government's ambivalence in dealing with the disasters. "Last night they approved seven additional emergency grants in record time," Newsom told the Times. "But what's so insidious, and what's so remarkable is that he's doing everything right to respond to these disasters and everything wrong to address what's happening to cause them." Far from the political struggles, firefighters were continuing to press their fight against the Maria Fire, which they said Sunday is now 70 per cent contained, and the Kincade Fire north of San Francisco, now 78 per cent contained. Other fires, including some that threatened multi-million-dollar homes and iconic institutions in the Los Angeles area, have subsided, and residents who had evacuated are beginning to return home.

Donald Trump threatens to withhold emergency aid from fire-hit California

Firefighters in California made progress Saturday containing a sizable new blaze in the southern part of the state as they continued to battle a much larger fire in the north.&nbsp;

The so-called Maria Fire broke out Thursday in bone-dry conditions in Ventura County, 65 miles (105 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles, sending thousands of people fleeing and endangering more than 2,500 structures.

It had spread to 9,412 acres (3,808 hectares) by Saturday evening, California fire officials said, but was 30 per cent contained.

That progress came despite the forced grounding overnight of firefighting helicopters after at least two hobby drones were seen operating in the area, posing a risk of collision, officials said.&nbsp;

The Ventura County Fire Department warned on Twitter that "even a tiny drone can cause a serious or fatal accident if it collides with firefighting aircraft."

In Sonoma County north of San Francisco, the Kincade Fire -- the largest in the state this season -- was continuing to burn over 77,758 acres on Saturday evening and was 74 per cent contained, state officials said.

The fires prompted Governor Gavin Newsom to declare an emergency across the state, parts of which have not had rainfall for months.

An extreme red-flag warning issued for the Los Angeles area this week was lifted Thursday but the National Weather Service warned that so-called Santa Ana winds could still wreak havoc through Saturday evening.

The state's largest utility company, Pacific Gas &amp; Electric, has been shutting off power to millions of customers in northern and central California, reducing fire risks but provoking public outrage.

Last year's Camp Fire destroyed the northern California town of Paradise and killed 86 people. Similar blazes in the area the previous year killed 44 people.

Remarkably, the past two weeks have brought no fatalities even as hurricane-force winds have fanned fierce blazes, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Authorities credited repeated warnings on radio and TV, PG&amp;E's precautionary power shut-offs, the pre-positioning of firefighters in high-risk forests, and more sophisticated weather-prediction capabilities than in past years.

Firefighters in California made progress Saturday containing a sizable new blaze in the southern part of the state as they continued to battle a much larger fire in the north.

Firefighters in California made progress Saturday containing a sizable new blaze in the southern part of the state as they continued to battle a much larger fire in the north. The so-called Maria Fire broke out Thursday in bone-dry conditions in Ventura County, 65 miles (105 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles, sending thousands of people fleeing and endangering more than 2,500 structures. It had spread to 9,412 acres (3,808 hectares) by Saturday evening, California fire officials said, but was 30 per cent contained. That progress came despite the forced grounding overnight of firefighting helicopters after at least two hobby drones were seen operating in the area, posing a risk of collision, officials said. The Ventura County Fire Department warned on Twitter that "even a tiny drone can cause a serious or fatal accident if it collides with firefighting aircraft." In Sonoma County north of San Francisco, the Kincade Fire -- the largest in the state this season -- was continuing to burn over 77,758 acres on Saturday evening and was 74 per cent contained, state officials said. The fires prompted Governor Gavin Newsom to declare an emergency across the state, parts of which have not had rainfall for months. An extreme red-flag warning issued for the Los Angeles area this week was lifted Thursday but the National Weather Service warned that so-called Santa Ana winds could still wreak havoc through Saturday evening. The state's largest utility company, Pacific Gas & Electric, has been shutting off power to millions of customers in northern and central California, reducing fire risks but provoking public outrage. Last year's Camp Fire destroyed the northern California town of Paradise and killed 86 people. Similar blazes in the area the previous year killed 44 people. Remarkably, the past two weeks have brought no fatalities even as hurricane-force winds have fanned fierce blazes, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. Authorities credited repeated warnings on radio and TV, PG&E's precautionary power shut-offs, the pre-positioning of firefighters in high-risk forests, and more sophisticated weather-prediction capabilities than in past years.

Teams make progress against latest major California blaze

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