Up to 80 houses destroyed and several thousand forced to flee as wildfires rip through California

SEVERAL thousand people have been told to evacuate their homes and up to 80 homes have been destroyed in wildfire which burning through California.

The blaze has torn through rural communities in the state, as temperatures have soared into the 90’s.

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Areas hit include Bakersfield, around Lake Isabella, where homes were burned to the ground.

The fire broke out late on Thursday afternoon, and travelled a distance of 11 miles in 13 hours.

As yet no one has been injured, but many properties have been raised to the ground or were in flames.

Kern County fire captain Tyler Townsend said: “I've never been in a wildland fire where I've seen so many homes burn. It's one of the most devastating I've ever seen.”

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The fire raged as breakouts across western states in the US appeared to be calming.

Adding to the danger was many of the houses had propane tanks.

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On Friday it was estimated 1500 homes were under threat.

In the areas of Bella Vista, South Fork, Weldon, Onyx, Lakeland Estates, Mountain Mesa, South Lake, Squirrel Valley, and Yankee Canyon, several thousand people were told they must evacuate.

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But many refused to leave their properties, rather taking their chances and staying put.

Homes in the area of Squirrel Mountain Valley, were destroyed which has a community of around 500 people.

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Helicopters were brought in to drop flame retardant on the fire, and the air was foggy and thick with smoke.

Other areas of the state which were under threat have benefited from a drop in temperatures.

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Two fires, which broke out in communities northeast of Los Angeles, and another in the Angeles National Forest were brought under control by firefighters.

An area eight square miles burned.

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More than 1300 homes in Duarte and Azusa  had 1300 homes evacuated. But on Friday half of residents were allowed back.

A fire which broke out near the Mexican border tore through 11 square miles leaving five homes destroyed.

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