California is battling its worst wildfire this year with more than 51,000 acres burned and evacuations mounting.
Chaotic weather is threatening to make matters worse. Crews battling the McKinney Fire in northern California were bracing for thunderstorms and hot, windy conditions that created the potential for additional fire growth Sunday.
The McKinney Fire was burning out of control in northern California’s Klamath National Forest, with expected thunderstorms a big concern Sunday just south of the Oregon state line, said U.S. Forest Service spokesperson Adrienne Freeman.
“The fuel beds are so dry, and they can just erupt from that lightning,” Freeman said. “These thunder cells come with gusty, erratic winds that can blow fire in every direction.”
The blaze exploded in size to more than 80 square miles just two days after erupting in a largely unpopulated area of Siskiyou County.
The blaze torched trees along California Highway 96, and the scorched remains of a pickup truck sat in a lane of the highway. Thick smoke covered the area and flames burned through hillsides in sight of homes.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency Saturday as the McKinney Fire intensified. The proclamation allows Newsom more flexibility to make emergency response and recovery effort decisions and access federal aid.
California law enforcement knocked on doors in the towns of Yreka and Fort Jones to urge residents to get out and safely evacuate their livestock onto trailers. Automated calls were being sent to land phone lines as well because there were areas without cellphone service.
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