One killed and hundreds evacuated as new wildfire breaks out in California
Klamathon Fire joins the ranks of more than three dozen blazes being fought across the US West in an unusually active season
A wildfire in northern California has killed one person, destroyed buildings, forced the evacuation of hundreds of people from nearby communities and prompted the governor to declare a state of emergency.
The Klamathon Fire broke out on Thursday and, within hours, spread from an initial 1,000 acres to 8,000 acres (3,237 hectares), the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said.
State of emergency as wildfire threatens hundreds of California homes
One person has died as a result of the fire, a spokeswoman for the agency said on Friday, without providing any details.
The blaze destroyed an unknown number of structures and forced residents in the small communities of Hornbrook, Hilt and Colestein Valley to flee as flames crossed Interstate 5 near California’s border with Oregon, local media reported.
California Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency for the area, allowing state resources to be devoted to fighting the wildfire and keeping people safe.