California fire becomes largest in state history

The Creek Fire in California has become the largest single wildfire in the state’s history, burning 286,519 acres in Fresno and Madera counties.

Cal Fire said the Creek Fire, which ignited on Sept. 4, has destroyed 855 structures and damaged 71 others. Forty crews involving more than 3,100 personnel have managed to contain only 32 percent of the blaze.

Wildfires have resulted in 26 fatalities in California this year, Cal Fire added Tuesday, scorching 2 million acres, another state record.

We want to take the time to reflect on the 26 lives that have been lost this year in the wildfires. As we continue to battle these large and devastating fires we are keeping them and their families in our thoughts. pic.twitter.com/XCAbWkBkgj

— CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) September 22, 2020

The previous record was set in 2018, when 1.96 million acres burned in California.

At least 50 major fires have raged across the West Coast this week alone, the U.S. Fire, Weather & Avalanche Center reported.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D) warned earlier this month that this year could see the most significant loss of life and property from fires in the state on record, as more than 300,000 acres have burned across Oregon.

Smoke from the West Coast fires has been detected by National Aeronautics and Space Administration instruments all the way in the Netherlands and Hamburg, Germany.