Rescuers have found lost animals – including a tiny kitten with whiskers and a terrified puppy with its fur charred by the fire – amid the devastation caused by the devastating blaze.
Two people were found dead in their car in their driveway in the California town of Klamath River amid dramatic scenes as thousands of homes were evacuated, Siskiyou County Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue confirmed.
It is believed the two people who died tragically on Doggett Creek Road were trying to escape the fast-moving flames across the state’s dry land.
The menacing McKinney wildfire, which is now engulfing 80 square miles of dry wildland in the region, has been fueled by gusty winds and lightning.
Firefighters are working tirelessly to extinguish the wildfire, which started Friday afternoon — but is currently contained, according to Cal Fire.
More than 100 structures, including homes, have burned to the ground across 55,493 acres in just over 60 hours since the McKinney fire started.
A kitten with singed whiskers that survived the McKinney fire hides in rocks in the Klamath National Forest northwest of Yreka, California
The roaring inferno threatening wildlife and homes in California has now turned deadly – after two people were found dead in a car in their driveway
A photographer helped a puppy – whose fur was charred – wandering through the rubble of the area as it stood over a house destroyed by the fire
The puppy wandered into the man after surviving the devastating wildfires in California. The animal was later taken to a shelter
A dead fawn is seen after the McKinney wildfire swept through the area and forced thousands to flee their homes
The menacing blaze is now consuming 80 square miles of dry wildland in the region as firefighters work tirelessly to calm the inferno
The charred remains of a boat on a trailer are seen on the McKinney Fire in the Klamath National Forest northwest of Yreka, California
The McKinney Fire is burning near Yreka, California on Saturday
Flames burn in the Klamath River during the McKinney Fire in the Klamath National Forest northwest of Yreka, Calif., on July 31, 2022. California’s largest wildfire this year is forcing thousands to evacuate as it destroys homes and rips through the state’s dry land
Authorities are now trying to protect homes and infrastructure instead of trying to contain the size of the fire.
A photographer came to the aid of a puppy wandering the ruins of the area, where it was standing on top of a house that had been destroyed by fire.
Jonathan Rivas brought the puppy to his truck, where he gave him water and then took him to the Rescue Ranch adoption center in the town of Yreka.
Heavy overhead clouds forming from the inferno, which has been described as “a fire-breathing cloud dragon” are said to be creating its own storm – with many fearing it will spark further fires.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency Saturday as the wildfire intensified, in an effort to focus state resources on saving the county from the devastation of charring.
Yesterday, Caroline Quintanilla, spokeswoman for the Klamath National Forest, said: “It continues to increase with unsettled winds and storms in the area and we are in the triple digits.”
Highway 98 has been closed due to the wildfires in the area and parts of Yreka, California have now been evacuated.
The Yreka Police Department issued evacuation orders for a neighborhood in the western part of the city – where residents were told to “leave immediately.”
According to the National Weather Service, temperatures on Sunday soared between 90 and 100 degrees Celsius, prompting a red flag fire warning to be issued.
The McKinney fire erupted about 15 miles south of the Oregon border Saturday in the Klamath National Forest
Jonathan Rivas brought the puppy to his truck, where he gave him water and then took him to the Rescue Ranch adoption center in Yreka.
The McKinney Fire is burning near Yreka, California, as it has destroyed 80 square miles of vegetation, destroying a dozen homes and forcing residents to evacuate
Crawford and her husband stayed as other residents evacuated to defend their home from the McKinney fire in Northern California
Crawford walks past her home as a wildfire called the McKinney Fire burns over the hill from her home in the Klamath National Forest in northern California on Saturday
Highway 98 has been closed due to wildfires in the area and parts of Yreka, California have now been evacuated
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said search crews rescued about 60 backpackers on a trail that stretches from Canada to Mexico.
The Pacific Coast Trail Association urged hikers to reach the nearest town, while the US Forest Service closed a 110km route from Etna’s summit to Camp Mt. Ashland in southern Oregon.
Oregon State Rep. Dacia Graeber, who is a firefighter, was camping with her husband, who is also in the fire service, near the California state line when gale-force winds woke them shortly after midnight.
The sky was bright with lightning in the clouds over the weekend, with ash blowing over them, even though they were in Oregon, about 10 miles away.
The intense heat from the fire had sent up a huge cumulus cloud, which can produce its own weather system, including winds and thunderstorms, Graeber said.
He said: “These were some of the worst winds I’ve ever had and we’re used to big fires.
“I thought he was going to rip the roof tent off our truck. We got the hell out of there.’
On their way out, they encountered hikers on the Pacific Coast Trail fleeing to safety.
“The scary part for us was the wind speed,” he said. “It went from a fairly cool, cool night to hot, dry hurricane-force winds. Usually this happens with a fire during the day but not at night. I hope for the best for everyone, but it looks like it’s only going to get worse.”
The ruins of Oak Mobile Park are seen on the McKinney Fire in the Klamath National Forest northwest of Yreka, California, on July 31, 2022
Flames burn in the Klamath River during the McKinney Fire in the Klamath National Forest northwest of Yreka, California
Klamath Interagency Hotshots rest while waiting for a new mission as the McKinney Fire burns near Yreka, California
The McKinney fire has been burning since Friday afternoon and is currently zero percent contained
CNN meteorologist Haley Brink explained that more than two million people are under red flag warnings Monday – covering areas in northern California, eastern Washington, Montana, eastern Wyoming, western South Dakota, central Oregon and northwest nebraska.
The US Forest Service said last night: “The area remains under a red flag warning today for the threat of dry lightning and strong outflow winds associated with lightning.
“These conditions can be extremely dangerous for firefighters as winds can be erratic and extremely strong, causing the fire to spread in any direction.
“New lightning fires continue to be detected, including one overnight at the top of Doggett Creek north of the main fire. Crews will assess and treat these fires as they are located.
“Persistent drought conditions have produced extremely dry, receptive fuels resulting in rapid fire spread.”
A total of 648 firefighters are working to extinguish the fire.
The Jackson County Emergency Management Agency told residents last night that there were no evacuations at this time, but warned that people should be “prepared” as conditions could change “at any time.”
They said: “Storm conditions are ongoing and can change at any time so be READY.
“New start of monitoring and response is ongoing. However, this weather means new fires could start and conditions can change quickly.
“This is a good time to work together on your family’s preparedness and monitoring.”
A total of 648 firefighters are working to extinguish the blaze – but it is now at zero percent
California’s largest wildfire this year is forcing thousands to flee their homes as it destroys homes and rips through the state’s dry land, battered by high winds and storm surges. The photo shows a burnt car after the fire
The Klamath River is covered in smoke during the McKinney Fire in the Klamath National Forest northwest of Yreka, California
The charred remains of a car towing a trailer that burned when the fire jumped the Klamath River remain on the highway in the McKinney Fire in the Klamath National Forest northwest of Yreka, California
