Firefighting crews in California took advantage of mild temperatures early on Wednesday to make progress in their battle to contain California's largest ever wildfire which has swelled to almost the size of Los Angeles.
Some 4,000 firefighters fought to prevent the Mendocino Complex from reaching communities like Nice, Lucerne, and Clearlake Oaks at the southern tip of the Mendocino National Forest, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said.
The Mendocino Complex is one of 17 major fires burning in California which, fanned by hot, windy conditions, have killed seven people, destroyed over 1,500 structures and displaced tens of thousands of people in the past month.
Some 4,000 firefighters fought to prevent the Mendocino Complex from reaching communities like Nice, Lucerne and Clearlake Oaks at the southern tip of the Mendocino National Forest, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said.
The Mendocino Complex is one of 17 major fires burning in California which, fanned by hot, windy conditions, have killed seven people, destroyed over 1,500 structures and displaced tens of thousands of people in the past month.
In the last couple of days, President Donald Trump said California was letting water run into the ocean instead of using it to fight blazes and blamed California's environmental policies for worsening the fires.
The comments baffled California firefighters, who said they had more than enough water to douse the flames.
Climate change is widely blamed for higher temperatures that have fueled wildfires in California, and as far afield as Portugal, Sweden and Siberia.
The fires are on track to be the most destructive in a decade, prompting Governor Jerry Brown and Republican leaders such as state Senator Ted Gaines to call for thinning and controlled burns of forests to reduce fire danger - moves opposed by environmentalists who say they kill wildlife.
Watch: California wildfire is now largest in the state's history
