Authorities confirmed Sunday that the massive Dixie Fire in northern California has expanded to become the state’s second-largest wildfire in history, with three people reported missing and others fleeing the advancing flames.
The fire has destroyed 463,477 acres (187,562 hectares) as of Sunday, up from 447,723 acres the day before. It has now grown to include an area larger than Los Angeles.
The Dixie Fire is the largest active wildfire in the United States, but it is only one of California’s 11 significant wildfires. It eclipsed the 2018 Mendocino Complex Fire over the weekend to become the state’s second-worst fire.
Governor Gavin Newsom paid a visit to the charred remnants of Greenville on Saturday, expressing his “deep thanks” to the firefighting teams.
He claimed that authorities needed to commit more resources to forest management and fire prevention.
Droughts are exacerbated by climate change, producing ideal circumstances for wildfires to grow uncontrollably and cause catastrophic material and environmental devastation.
The Dixie fire, which injured three firefighters on Saturday, was still 21 percent contained on Sunday, the same as the day before, according to the CalFire website. The fire, which started on July 13, is expected to last two weeks, according to crews.
