As the California wildfire that destroyed hundreds of miles of brush and woodland, the biggest ever in California history, thousands of homes were at risk.After burning more than 700 miles of Northern California's Plumas, Tehama, Tehama, and Lassen counties, the Dixie Fire was less then a quarter contained. Cal Fire reported that at least 400 homes and other structures were destroyed in an update on Sunday.This fire was the largest of more than 100 wildfires that erupted in 15 states. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, those fires have burned over 3,500 miles.The fire center advised that "the fire outlook continues to reflect warmer, drier conditions leading the high potential for severe wildfire activation throughout the (West) throughout the rest of the summer and into fall." Widespread high temperatures and lightning activity continue to worsen the wildfire situation."The Dixie Fire was being fuelled by bone-dry vegetation, and fanned with strong winds. After 370 structures and homes were set on fire late last week, nearly the entire Plumas County community of Greenville (population approximately 1,000) was destroyed.Kesia Studebaker who lives in the town said that although we knew there wouldn't be enough rain and that fires could occur, we didn't expect such a beast.Red sky, a road on fire: This is how this man survived the Dixie FireAfter being struck by a branch from a fallen tree, four firefighters were brought to the hospital. Although more than 20 people were reported as missing in the fire, authorities only had to contact four of them by Saturday afternoon.Pacific Gas & Electric believes the tree that fell on its power lines may have caused the fire. Federal Judge ordered PG&E to provide details by August 16 regarding the equipment and vegetation that caused the fire.California's Dixie Fire has blazed 700 miles of California, more than New York City.Continue the storyThe northern Sierra Nevada is in danger of being destroyed by the fire. Governor. Gavin Newsom visited the region Saturday to thank the 8,500 firefighters for their "heroic and extraordinary work." He stated that the state must do more to manage its forests, and to preposition firefighting equipment in order to save lives and communities.Newsom stated, "At the end of the day, we have to admit that the driest are getting a lot dryer, and the heat is getting a lot more hotter than ever before," These are climate-induced wildfires, which we must acknowledge.Contributing to The Associated PressCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom examines the remains at the Greenville Post Office, in Plumas County that was destroyed by the Dixie Fire.This article was originally published on USA TODAY: California's largest wildfire, Dixie Wildfire.
