The Bluecut Fire broke out on Tuesday morning.

It has spread to cover an area of more than seven thousand hectares.

“This is the fifth year of a severe drought.This means there is very little moisture in the undergrowth so it is very likely that a fire will start. Because the fire is being driven by a very strong wind, sparks are flying and landing kilometres ahead of the flames. That is why people have been evacuated from their homes which are in the path of the fire,” said *US Forestry Service spokesperson
Chon Bribiescas*.

Evacuations

The authorities have issued evacuation orders for 82, 640 residents and around 34,500 homes near Interstate 15.

A stretch of the main freeway between Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area has been closed indefinitely.

Has anyone been hurt in the fire?

Two firefighters were trapped by the flames when they were trying to evacuate residents from their homes.

Officials say they escaped with minor injuries.

Do they know what caused the fire?

Not yet.

The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

What about the Clayton fire?

Crews are making headway against the Clayton fire, which is burning more than 970 kilometres to the north.

It has already destroyed more than 175 homes and businesses.

Officials say the fire is 35 percent contained. Almost two thousand hectares have been destroyed around the area of Lower Lake.

A 40-year-old man has been arrested in connection with starting the blaze. (Euronews)