Thousands evacuate in California as wildfire advances

Thousands of people in Northern California have had to evacuate as a wildfire burns through acres of woods.

Around 2,400 people in Placer County and 4,200 people in Nevada County have left their homes after a wildfire has scorched 1,400 acres, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said at a press conference, Reuters reported.

“If you received an evacuation warning, please go. If you received an order, get out,” Placer County Sheriff Devon Bell said.

Smoke from the wildfire can be seen 70 miles away, Reuters noted, adding that the blaze is less than 100 miles away from a separate wildfire that has burned a total of 278,000 acres.

Evacuation centers have been set up and a fairground was turned into an animal shelter for pets. At least four homes have been destroyed, according to a Reuters witness.

A reversal of wind direction and cooler temperatures at night are expected to help efforts to control the blaze, officials said, adding that it is only 35 percent contained after three weeks. 

California and other Western states have been getting hammered with wildfires this year as governors call on President Biden for aid.

Turkey and Greece are also seeing citizens evacuate their homes, with scientists now calling the Mediterranean a wildfire hot spot.

Updated at 10:45 a.m.