11 killed after twin fires unite to form California’s largest wildfire

It is the largest of eight major fires burning out of control across California, prompting U.S. President Donald Trump to declare a “major disaster” in the state.

The Mendocino Complex consists of two neighboring Northern California blazes, the Ranch and River fires.

The Mendocino Complex Fire has already engulfed 290,692 acres (117,639 hectares) – nearly the size of Los Angeles.

This fire has killed two people and injured 11 others.

Further north in the Redding area, the Carr Fire, which is now 45 percent contained, has charred more than 163,000 acres and destroyed more than 1,000 homes. Officials said it killed a Pacific Gas and Electric Co. employee Saturday in the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, bringing the death toll to seven.

MORE than 14,000 firefighters including prison volunteers are battling “catastrophic” wildfires raging through California – which can be seen from space.

On Monday the Pentagon said it would send 200 soliders to assist firefighters in fending off the flames, many of which have encroached on federal lands. Must also tree clear to stop fire from spreading!’ It’s only 20 percent contained.

Firefighters are tackling 16 major blazes across the state amid hot weather, strong winds and low humidity.

“Unfortunately, they’re not going to get a break anytime soon”, said Brian Hurley, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center in College Park, Maryland.

Nationwide on wildfires 558 hand crews, 186 helicopters, and 1,907 fire engines are assigned on wildfires, for a total 28,234 personnel including overhead and other firefighting resources.

“We have plenty of water” for battling the massive blazes burning in hills north of San Francisco, said Scott McLean, a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Firefighters were battling the Mendocino Complex blaze supported by helicopters and airplanes – including two very big DC-10s and a 747 jumbo jet – that doused the flames with water.

More than 15 major blazes are now burning, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire.

Deputy fire chief Mr Mclean dismissed Mr Trump’s comments to USA media, saying firefighters had “plenty of water” to tackle these wildfires.

California has been ravaged by destructive and deadly wildfires burning up and down the state.

Meanwhile, a new fire erupted south of Los Angeles in Orange County on Monday and quickly spread through the chaparral-covered ridges of the Cleveland National Forest.

The Department of Defense has also provided five aircraft to aid in fighting the wildfires, four C-130 cargo planes outfitted with Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems and an RC-26 surveillance plane, being used to monitor and map wildfires, Manning said.