US: Bobcat fire burns close to 100,000 acres in California

The cause of the fire has still not been identified

bobcat The Bobcat fire in Los Angeles County

The Bobcat fire in Los Angeles County has scorched 100,000 acres making it one of the largest fires in the county’s history. Currently, at least 27 wildfires are burning in California. It has destroyed 6,100 structures and killed 26 people in the state so far. The wildfires have been burning since August and according to the California Department of Fire Protection (Cal Fire), nearly 17,00 firefighters are battling the blazes.

Experts say the flames would continue to spread from the Antelope Valley foothills into the communities of Juniper Hills, Valyermo and Big Pine. Thanks to low humidity and high winds, the fire remained active overnight and continues to present challenges. But, firefighters have had some success in containing the blaze in the San Gabriel Valley area.

Cause of the Bobcat fire, which started on September 6 is unknown. New evacuation orders were issued over the weekend, the Los Angeles County Sheriff said on Twitter. However, evacuation orders in Arcadia, Sierra Madre, Monrovia, Duarte, and Bradbury were lifted.

The Angeles National Forest said on Twitter "crews are en route to 1/4 acre spot at Chantry Flat, 1/4 miles above the construction site at Chantry Road." Much of the fire has spread out on the desert flatlands, an easier terrain to fight the fire than the steep hills and deep canyons of the Angeles forest. 

Animals were evacuated from the Devil's Punchbowl Nature Centre in Los Angeles, which is closed until further notice because of the blaze. 

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