Trump declares state of emergency

WILDFIRE Toll touches five, as woman, great grandkids killed

US President Donald Trump declared a state of emergency in California and ordered the federal government to provide additional assistance due to the wildfires that since July 23 have devastated the region and forced authorities to evacuate close to 38,000 people.

By means of this order, Trump authorised the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate disaster relief efforts, Efe quoted the White House as saying in a statement.

“This action will help alleviate the hardship and suffering that the emergency may inflict on the local population, and provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the counties of Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura," the White House said.

Firefighters were unable to halt the spread of a northern California wildfire that has already destroyed 32,700 hectares and has killed five people.

According to official figures of CalFire, the state’s forestry and forest fire protection department, the Carr fire has only been brought 5 per cent under control. The flames have destroyed 500 buildings and damaged another 75. REDDING: With the death of one Melody Bledsoe, 70, who was believed to have stranded in her home, along with her great grandchildren — fiveyear-old James Roberts and his four-year-old sister Emily, the California wildfire death toll reaches five.

The bodies of the trip are yet to be identified. Her husband Ed was out for supplies and received a desperate call from his great-grandson warning that the flames were drawing closer, relatives said.

Earlier, a firefighter and an 81year-old bulldozer operator died while trying to contain the blaze. More than 38,000 people were ordered to evacuate their homes in the city of Redding as the fires enter their sixth day.

Total 17 people were reported missing - but officials say most are believed to be alive as their houses are still standing. The Bledsoes residence was reduced to ashes. Some 3,400 firefighters are battling what is being called the Carr Fir fire, growing uncontrollably” and closing in on homes as high winds and triple-digit temperatures drive flames through bone-dry vegetation.