Wildfire destroys Sierra Nevada foothills due to arid conditions and repeated drought

Arid conditions and repeated drought have made California face yet another forest fire in the foothills of Sierra Nevada and California's grassy, tree-studded Gold Country has turned to an eerie white. The fire has, so far, destroyed 86 homes, 51 outbuildings and was threatening about 6,400 more. The fire originated in Lake County, 100 miles north of San Francisco, and grew to about 15 square miles within a span of a few hours.
This has been informed by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and reported in nzherald.co.nz dated 13 September 2015.

Thousands of people rushed to escape the massive wildfire that was charging across California's tinder-dry Sierra Nevada foothills and a second out-of-control fire that broke out in Northern California. Four firefighters had to be hospitalized due to burns.
The blaze has since widened to more than 101 square miles in view of rise in surrounding temperatures and land parched from several years of drought. A thick layer of smoke prevented air operations of tankers and helicopters. As a result of the fire, evacuation was carried out from two towns as well as along a 35-mile stretch of State Route 29.
California Governor Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency and more than 3,850 firefighters have been assigned to tackle the blaze while its cause is being investigated.
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

Some more interesting 'must reads'-

City of Jinan to eliminate all dogs even if they are registered pets and vaccinated

Two foreign tourists killed as Kalka-Shimla toy train derails

Molesters flee bleeding from the clutches of a karate girl in Barasat, West Bengal


Ringo Starr, Beatles drummer, bemoans the decline in the music industry

Lindsay Lohan fails to keep her date with Toronto Film Festival

Kangana Ranaut in Paris for ‘Queen’ hates actors endorsing fairness creams


This is the age of drone warfare - pick and eliminate the jihadists from miles away

RAF readies to strike ISIS in Syria to check flow of refugees into Europe

Russia’s game plan not clear – it sends Pantsir-S missile system to Syria


Bengalis are a politically conscious lot

Rasgulla, the juice-dripping sweet that Bengalis swear by

Bengalis are daydreamers tied to mothers’ apron strings