Thousands evacuate in northern California

LOS ANGELES:

A huge, fast-moving and rapidly growing wildfire in northern California has forced more than 4,000 people to evacuate as firefighters battle gusty winds and perilously dry conditions, authorities said Friday.

Fueled by a crushing heatwave, the so-called Park Fire -- the most intense wildfire to hit the state this summer -- has rapidly devoured 164,000 acres (66,000 hectares) and is continuing to gain strength.

For now it is "zero percent" controlled, despite the efforts of some 1,600 firefighters, according to state agency Cal Fire.

A total of 4,000 people have evacuated the towns of Cohasset and Forest Ranch, and an additional 400 from the small city of Chico.

The blaze so far has destroyed 134 structures, authorities said.

The fire started Wednesday near Chico, in Butte County, and within hours had devastated a wide area there and in neighboring Tehama County.

The blaze has generated an enormous column of dense gray smoke, gritty clouds akin to those of a huge and violent storm that are now visible in nearby US states.

"The Park Fire continues to burn very actively," Butte County sheriff Kory Honea said Thursday.