California declares state of emergency

Washington, Sep 14
California Governor Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency after wildfires forced thousands of people to flee their homes in the north of the state, the media reported on Monday.

Brown said the fires had destroyed buildings in the Napa and Lake counties and threatened hundreds of others.

Thousands fled this weekend as mandatory evacuations were ordered for the communities of Cobb, Middletown, Harbin Hot Springs and Big Canyon Road. More than 5,000 were left without power, CNN reported.

The Butte Fire in Amador and Calaveras counties, about 70 miles east of Sacramento, has grown to 65,000 acres, California Fire said.

It has destroyed at least 85 residences and 50 outbuildings and threatens 6,150 homes.

About 3,300 firefighters are on the scene and about 100 officers and deputies from 23 agencies have responded to a request for mutual aid.

They have evacuated the Kings Canyon National Park and working to protect the park's famous grove of Giant Sequoia trees.