California city threatened by approaching wildfire

Firefighters are working to save a California city that is being threatened by the Dixie Fire. 

Susanville, a city with around 18,000 residents, is facing the country’s largest wildfire with officials sending out red flag warnings to the area, The Associated Press reported.

The red flag warnings for the critical fire weather conditions were sent out Tuesday as the winds are up to 40  miles per hour, according to the AP.

“It’s not out of play, and the next 24 hours are going to be crucial to watch as to what the fire is going to do there,” Mark Brunton, an operations section chief, said during an online briefing. Residents are told to prepare to evacuate at any moment. 

The Dixie Fire has covered 579,000 acres with around 1,170 structures destroyed from the blaze. 

The Dixie Fire recently gained strength from the high winds that have occurred. The winds contribute to a good environment for a wildfire to begin.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) are saying they might shut off power from 48,000 customers to lower the risk of new wildfires.

California has been devastated by wildfires this year with the blazes getting so bad the smoke from the fires affected some air quality on the East coast.