California's largest wildfire has exploded again after burning for nearly three weeks in remote mountains and officials warn that hot, dry weather would increase the risk of new fires across much of the state.
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Firefighters saved homes on Monday in the small northern California community of Greenville near the Plumas National Forest as strong winds stoked the Dixie Fire, which grew to more than 1000 square kilometres.
"Engines, crews and heavy equipment shifted from other areas to increase structure protection and direct line construction as the fire moved toward Greenville," the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire, said on Tuesday morning.
Evacuations were ordered for the community of about 1000 people as well as for the east shore of nearby Lake Almanor, a popular resort area. About 3000 homes were threatened by the blaze that has destroyed 67 houses and other buildings since breaking out July 14. It was 35 per cent contained.
Crews contended with dry, hot and windy conditions "and the forecast calls for the return of active fire behaviour", Cal Fire said.
Similar weather was expected across southern California, where heat advisories and warnings were issued for interior valleys, mountains and deserts for much of the week.
Heatwaves and historic drought tied to climate change have made wildfires harder to fight in the American west.
More than 20,000 firefighters and support personnel were battling 97 large, active wildfires covering almost 8000 sq km in 13 US states on Tuesday, the National Interagency Fire Center said.
Dry conditions and powerful winds made for dangerous fire conditions again on Tuesday in Hawaii.
Firefighters gained control over the 160 sq km Nation Fire that forced thousands of people to flee at the weekend and destroyed at least two homes on the Big Island.
About 240km west of California's Dixie Fire, the lightning-sparked McFarland Fire threatened remote homes in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. The nearly 65 sq km fire was five per cent contained on Tuesday.
In southern Oregon, lightning ignited 50 new wildfires as the nation's largest blaze burned more than 16km away, officials said on Monday.
Oregon's Bootleg Fire, the nation's largest at 1676 sq km, was 84 per cent contained and is not expected to be fully under control until October 1.
Australian Associated Press
