A wildfire burning in a mountainous area of California's San Bernardino County, about 115 kilometers northeast of Los Angeles, now covers more than 3,600 acres and triggered the evacuation of at least 82,000 residents from more than 34,500 homes. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokesman Daniel Berlant said on Twitter that firefighters and emergency services have been unsuccessful so far in their attempts to contain the fire. The so-called 'Blue Cut Fire' has advanced very quickly in a single day, prompting California governor Jerry Brown to declare a state of emergency in San Bernardino County today. Authorities are concerned because the heat, wind and low humidity, combined with the severe drought that California is suffering for years, complicate the work of firefighters. The fire also forced the closure of several transport routes in the affected area including Highway 138 and Interstate 15 connecting Southern California with Las Vegas.

Source: Fox News August 17, 2016 06:11 UTC