Wildfires in Western US to chase away tourists

Huge fires continued to destroy large areas in the western US, covering hundreds of kilometers and forcing tens of thousands locals and tourists to abandon their homes and accommodations. More, fires have already made a victim among locals according to authorities quoted by France Presse.

The California State territory that has been facing a record drought for five year, owns about 66 million dry trees that are very flammable and are vulnerable particularly to fires. On the North of California, the most populous state in the country, the fire that burns in Garrapata State Park in the county of Monterey for more than a week have already carbonized 164 square kilometers in the region of Big Sur, one of the most attractive tourist areas with cliffs towering the Pacific coast.

More than 5,000 firemen were activated, but the fire is only at a18 percent rate of control, according to a statement from Calf, a Californian information agency.

The fire has already destroyed 57 homes and threatens 2,000 other buildings, forcing thousands of residents to leave the area. The driver of an excavator died last week from injuries suffered in fire -fighting operations in the area.

Authorities urged residents to prepare to evacuate, saying that in too many instances firefighters have been delayed by helping people who waited too long to get out. "The fire wants to get up, it wants to run, and it wants to go through 10,000 acres and wants to threaten thousands of homes," Los Angeles County Fire Department Deputy Chief John Tripp said.

The fire compromised air quality and dropped ash on parts of Los Angeles over the weekend. As winds shifted, smoke could be seen Sunday in Las Vegas about 270 miles away.