Los Angeles, USA - Recent

Storyline:
Firefighters are continuing to battle a string of wildfires across the western U.S. state of California on Monday amid high temperatures, lower humidity and strong winds.

In just four days, the so-called "Post Fire" has already scorched more than 6,000 hectares, fueled by strong winds reaching 80 kilometers per hour.

The fire - just one of the 14 blazes burning in the state -- has already scorched more than 6,000 hectares and forced more than 1,200 people to flee.

California firefighters traverse water and cliffs to suppress the Post Fire, but the windy conditions are also complicating the fire fighting efforts on the ground.

Several areas of steep terrain that are particularly hard to reach for the firefighters, he added.

The growing wildfire in northern Los Angeles County is the first major blaze of this wildfire season. The flames have come much earlier than previous years largely due to hot temperatures and dry conditions.

Fire officials worry extraordinary rainfall over the winter has led to lavish vegetation in wild lands that could turn into fuel for more intense fires in the coming months.

Officials say the fire is expected to be contained when the winds die down.

In the meantime, fire resources are stretched across the state as California deals with 13 other ongoing blazes.

Climate scientists are predicting California's hot and dry conditions will intensify later in the summer, which could mean a prolonged wildfire season.

Shotlist:
Los Angeles, California, USA - Recent:
1. Various of burnt cars;
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Kenichi Haskett, section chief, Los Angeles County Fire Department:
"It's hard for those helicopters when it's windy to make effective water drops. So you need firefighters to go direct, go stump by stump, branch by branch and extinguish those embers.";
3. Embers on mountain, vehicle moving;
4. Various of fire trucks;
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Kenichi Haskett, section chief, Los Angeles County Fire Department:
"In California right now, we are considered the largest wildland fire right now. So, when we knew we were going to have the hot, dry Santa Anas, we were able to order a team that brought in the resources and brought in over 1500 firefighters. Unfortunately, Napa County and in Northern California, they have two big, large wildland fires that are over a thousand acres right now. They will need the resources as well.";
6. Various of burnt plants.

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