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More than 12,000 Firefighters in California Battling 560 Wildfires

VOA News

   As more than 12,000 firefighters in California are battling 560 fires,
   Gov. Gavin Newsom says he has asked for resources and support not only
   from other U.S. states but also Canada and Australia. The governor said
   Australia is home to "the world's best wildfire fighters."

   Newsom said Friday the fires have "disproportionately impacted"
   Northern California, where tens of thousands of people have been forced
   to flee their homes and where hundreds of homes and other buildings
   have been destroyed.

   "We simply haven't seen anything like this in many, many years," Newsom
   said. "These fires are stretching our resources, our personnel."

   At least five people have been killed and 43 injured, including
   firefighters, in the blazes that have burned through 2,020 square
   kilometers during an historic heat wave.

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