California is battling its worst wildfire this year with more than 51,000 acres burned and evacuations increasing. Chaotic weather threatens to worsen the situation. Crews battling the McKinney wildfire in northern California were bracing for storms and warm winds that created the potential for additional fire growth Sunday. A fire truck moves along California Highway 96 as the McKinney Fire burns in the Klamath National Forest, California, July 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) The McKinney fire was burning out of control in northern California’s Klamath National Forest, with expected thunderstorms a major concern Sunday just south of the Oregon state line, U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Adrienne Freeman said. “The fuel beds are so dry and they can just explode from that lightning,” Freeman said. “These lightning strikes come with gusty, erratic winds that can blow fire in any direction.” WESTERN FIRES: CREWS ADVANCE IN IDAHO, CALIFORNIA The blaze exploded in size to more than 80 square miles just two days after the explosion in a largely unpopulated area of Siskiyou County. The blaze burned trees along California’s Interstate 96 and the charred remains of a truck sat in one lane of the freeway. Thick smoke covered the area and flames burned on hillsides in front of houses. A horse grazes in a pasture as the McKinney Fire burns in the Klamath National Forest, California, July 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) A second, smaller fire just to the west sparked by dry lightning on Saturday threatened the tiny town of Seiad. About 400 structures were threatened by the two fires in California. A third fire, located on the southwest edge of the McKinney fire, prompted evacuation orders for about 500 homes Sunday, said Courtney Crider, spokeswoman for the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office. The bureau said crews had been at the scene of the fire since late Saturday, but that the fire on Sunday morning “activated and escaped its containment line.” TEXAS FIRE DESTROYED HOMES 9 DAYS AFTER LAWN MOWER RUNAWAY BURNED 26 BUILDINGS As the McKinney fire threatened, some residents chose to stay behind, while others heeded orders to leave. California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency Saturday as the McKinney wildfire intensified. The proclamation allows Newsom greater flexibility to make emergency response and recovery effort decisions and access federal aid. A man runs in a truck as the McKinney Fire burns in the Klamath National Forest, California, July 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) California law enforcement knocked on doors in the towns of Yreka and Fort Jones to urge residents to get out and safely evacuate their livestock to trailers. Automated calls were also sent to landlines because there were areas without cell phone service. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The Pacific Coast Trail Association urged hikers to reach the nearest town, while the US Forest Service closed a 110-mile section of the trail from Etna’s summit to Campground Mt. Ashland in southern Oregon. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
