Massive fire prompts evacuations in California

Firefighters battled a massive blaze that prompted evacuations near the California and Nevada border on Saturday (August 15).

 Evacuation orders were placed for the Plumas and Lassen counties in north of California, as firefighters brave the erratic Loyalton fire that authorities warned could cause potential fire whirls.

Dashcam video recorded from Truckee Meadows Fire and Rescue vehicle, captured firefighters narrowly escaping the spreading inferno on Highway 395 near Chilcoot.

National Weather Service Reno warned responders to exercise extreme caution on Twitter. “Extreme fire behaviour will continue into this evening with new Fire Tornadoes and strong gusts of 60 mph”, the weather service added.

Local media reported that the Loyalton Fire that originated east of the town of the same name has burned around 20,000 acres (8093 hectares) with 5% containment as of Saturday evening.