Evacuation orders have been issued in Southern California as a result of the newly ignited Nixon Fire, among various blazes that have scorched more than 751,000 acres across the state.
The fire, which ignited Monday in Riverside County, has already burned over 4,500 acres and was 0% contained Tuesday evening, according to Cal Fire. Four structures have been damaged and one has been destroyed, the agency reported.
Evacuation orders have been issued for parts of southern Riverside County, according to a Cal Fire evacuation map. Neighboring areas also in southern Riverside County are under an evacuation warning, which means residents are advised to prepare to evacuate should officials give them further instruction to do so.
Matthew Hendrix was forced out of his home because of the flames. He said he got his dog, some necessities and his neighbor.
“He’s pretty elderly and doesn’t have hardly any resources,” Hendrix said of his neighbor as he stood amid the smoldering remains of the man’s burned-down mobile home. “This was all he had in life, was this property and this house.”
In Kern and Tulare counties, the 2024 SQF Lightning Complex Fire, which combines the Borel Fire and other blazes, has burned nearly 90,000 acres, Cal Fire said. It was 34% contained Tuesday evening.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Kern County in response to the Borel Fire, which, according to Cal Fire, has burned more than 57,000 acres and was 5% contained.
“This devastating fire and the many like it we’re facing across the West are a clear and present danger to our way of life and California as we know it,” Newsom said in a statement.
The Park Fire continues to burn in Butte, Tehama, Shasta and Plumas counties with only 18% containment. It is the fifth-largest wildfire in California’s history, having burned nearly 387,000 acres since it ignited Wednesday, Cal Fire said.
Over 5,500 personnel are trying to contain the Park Fire, which has destroyed more than 190 residential and commercial structures, according to Cal Fire.
Cal Fire stressed the importance of taking proper precautions to prevent wildfires, as 95% of them are caused by humans.
“Simple actions such as following fire safety guidelines and avoiding activities that can spark fires are vital in reducing the risk,” it said on X. “Additionally, having a go bag packed with essentials and being prepared for an emergency can make a significant difference in ensuring personal and community safety.”
Wildfire season in California has been significantly busier than last year, scorching more than 751,000 acres of land thus far, according to Cal Fire.
That accounts for activity that is 2,816% higher than in 2023, amounting to “29 times the amount of acreage burned,” the agency said.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
