Forest Fires Expand In California, Residents Asked For Evacuation

UNSPLASH/Mike Newbry ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - A rapidly expanding forest fire in California's Eastern Sierra region burned 1,000 hectares of land. This condition forced the evacuation of residents in several areas.

The fire that broke out on Sunday afternoon local time occurred near Highway 6 and Silver levy Road in Inyo County. The fire conditions cannot be controlled.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said evacuation orders were issued for several areas, including Laws in Inyo County, Chalfant in Mono County, and the White Mountain Estates. The 30-mile US 6 highway is also closed.

As reported by Reuters on Monday, March 31, there have been no immediate reports of casualties or damage to buildings so far. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, according to Cal Fire.

More than 200 firefighters fought against the blaze, but gusts of wind that reached 35 miles per hour at Bishop Airport made several fire engines stop operating and complicate countermeasures.

The National Weather Service predicts a southwest wind of 25 to 35 mph and gusts of up to 65 mph on Monday for the region.

Earlier this year, California's largest city, Los Angeles, experienced the worst fires in its history, killing 28 people and destroying or destroying more than 16,000 buildings.