The death toll from a Northern California wildfire rose to six, including two firefighters and two children, even as fire crews battled on to quell flames that have devastated entire neighborhoods.
It’s been described as like a bomb going off.
Northern California’s Carr fire has now killed at least six people.
The huge fire nearly doubled in size over the weekend, leaving at least seventeen missing and causing tens of thousands to flee their homes.
(SOUNDBITE) STEVE CRAWFORD, CAL FIRE OPERATIONS CHIEF, SAYING:
“It’s burning in every direction, all at the same time”
So far two children and two firefighters have been killed in the blaze.
The Carr fire has destroyed hundreds of buildings.
It’s now covering an area of over 80 thousand acres, that’s almost the size of the city of Philadelphia.
(SOUNDBITE) UNNAMED PERSON:
“This was my house since I was born… (Reporter asks ‘What’s it like to see it now?’)… Rough..”
The blaze ripped through the city of Redding, which is north of Sacramento and has a population of 90,000.
Officials say the fire started on Monday (July 23) from a car that had mechanical issues and grew fast due to hot, dry winds.
Calfire division chief Greg Bartelli says the wildfire will continue to get worse before it gets better.
(SOUNDBITE) GREG BERTELLI, CAL FIRE DIVISION CHIEF, SAYING:
“We’re not getting any break from the weather for at least the next five days.”
President Donald Trump on Saturday issued an emergency declaration for California allowing counties affected by wildfires to received federal assistance.
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