GUINDA, Calif. — Thousands of firefighters are struggling to contain a massive wildfire in rural Northern California.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said Tuesday that the blaze surging through sparsely populated areas northwest of Sacramento has grown to 109 square miles (280 square kilometers). It’s burning largely out of control.
Officials say about 300 people have been ordered to flee and more than 700 buildings are threatened in the area that’s home to cattle and horse ranches.
Cal Fire says more than 2,000 firefighters are battling the fast-growing blaze fueled by gusty winds. It erupted Saturday and at times has grown by 1,000 acres an hour.
It comes as hot, dry conditions are fueling blazes in several Western states.
