California governor declares state of emergency

In the state of California, dozens of fires broke out due to abnormal heat. Firefighters are trying to locate the elements, including extinguishing the fire to the west of the state capital, where more than 20000 hectares of forest have burnt down since Saturday.

The governor of Jerry Brown on Sunday declared a state of emergency in two districts affected by the fires. There is a mobilization of National Guard servicemen who are called upon to help thousands of people forced to flee their homes.

Around 1500 firefighters are trying to put out a fire in Lake County, which has already destroyed 400 homes and in the fight against which four firefighters suffered. On Sunday, authorities also reported that they were investigating reports of the death of one person as a result of a fire.

Weather conditions make it extremely difficult to fight rapidly spreading fires, local authorities say.

East of Sacramento, the fire that began last Wednesday swept over more than 26000 hectares and destroyed the 135 homes in Butte County. Currently, 4500 firefighters are working in the district, who managed to localize the fire to 25 percent, and the authorities allowed some of the evacuated residents to return home.

The most powerful fire in California began with a lightning strike on July 31 and since then has covered more than 54000 hectares of land in the Sierra National Reserve and Sequoia National Park. The National Fire Fighting Coordination Group, which brings together both federal and local authorities, said on Sunday evening that the fire had been reduced by 36 percent, and the cooler weather established in California would allow 3000 firefighters to achieve even better results.