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                    Wildfires Rage in Drought-Hit California

   by VOA News

   Firefighters in the western U.S. state of California Monday continued
   battling a dozen wildfires, including one to the west of the state
   capital that has burned more than 20,000 hectares since Saturday.

   Governor Jerry Brown issued a new state of emergency on Sunday that
   covers two counties affected by that fire.  The order includes
   mobilizing National Guard soldiers to help with relief efforts for the
   thousands of people who have been forced to leave their homes.

   About 1,500 firefighters are trying to stop the so-called Valley Fire,
   which has already destroyed 400 homes and injured four firefighters.
   Officials said Sunday they were also investigating the report of one
   death.

   ''

   ''

   California is experiencing a massive drought and many areas of the
   state also dealt with a heat wave during the past week.  The conditions
   have made containing the fast-spreading fires difficult, officials
   said.

   To the east of Sacramento, the Butte Fire has burned more than 26,000
   hectares and destroyed 135 homes since it began last Wednesday.  The
   4,500 firefighters working there have the fire 25 percent contained,
   and officials have been able to let back in some of the people who were
   ordered to evacuate.

   By far the biggest wildfire in California started with a lightning
   strike on July 31 and has since burned more than 54,000 hectares in the
   Sierra National Forest and Sequoia National Forest.  The National
   Wildfire Coordinating Group, a partnership of federal and local
   agencies, said late Sunday that fire is 36 percent contained and that
   the cooler weather that has arrived in California should help the 3,000
   firefighters there make more progress.

   ''
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/california-wildfires-rage/2962816.htm
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/california-wildfires-rage/2962816.html