State of emergency declared in California over wildfires

A state of emergency has been declared in California due to massive wildfires that have engulfed the suburbs of Los Angeles, CBS News reports.

Fire situation
The blaze is spreading at an enormous speed, covering an area equivalent to five football fields per minute. So far, more than 100,000 people have been evacuated, and the fire continues to threaten new areas. Power has been cut to the districts. The air is filled with smoke and ash.

Elite areas at risk
The flames have reached prestigious neighbourhoods where celebrities reside. Homes belonging to stars such as Paris Hilton and Ben Affleck, as well as Leonardo DiCaprio’s former residence, have been damaged.

It is currently difficult to predict how the situation will develop. Fire services continue to battle the blaze, but strong winds and high temperatures are complicating firefighting efforts.