Biggest fire of the year spreads in California

The "Gifford Fire" in the Los Padres National Forest, a forest area north of Santa Barbara, had spread over an area of around 340 square kilometers by Tuesday evening (local time), according to the US Forest Service. In July, the "Madre Fire" had burned about 327 square kilometers in the same area.

According to the forestry authority, the Gifford Fire is only nine percent contained so far. Almost 2,300 firefighters are battling the flames. The extinguishing work is being made more difficult by temperatures of over 30 degrees. On Thursday, temperatures could even reach more than 37 degrees. Heat alone does not cause forest fires, but high temperatures combined with dryness, low humidity and wind can increase the risk.

Origin of the fire near a road

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The origin of the fire near a road suggests that it was caused by people, wrote the New York Times. In addition to discarded cigarette butts, abrasive car parts or worn brakes could also cause sparks and ignite fires.

The state on the west coast of the USA has been particularly affected by forest fires this year. At the beginning of the year, at least 31 people died in devastating fires in the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. An area of more than 150 square kilometers was devastated and more than 16,000 buildings destroyed. According to the fire protection authority Cal Fire, there have been numerous other fires since then.