California's deadliest current wildfire gets larger

California's deadliest current wildfire is getting larger, officials warn, despite thousands of firefighters battling it, in what is described as the worst start to the fire season in 10 years, according to a July 30 BBC News report.

"Erratic winds" and dry conditions have caused the Carr fire to grow early on Sunday, July 29, firefighters said.

It is one of eight major wildfires currently burning in the state.

The fire, in the Shasta County in northern California, has killed six people so far, including two children and their great-grandmother. Two firefighters also lost their lives on Thursday. A third firefighter died battling the Ferguson fire, near Yosemite, on Sunday.

The Carr fire, which doubled in size overnight on Friday, July 27 was only 5 percent contained by Sunday morning. It has already burnt more than 48,000 acres (194 sq km) of land and destroyed at least 500 structures, according to the BBC.

US President Donald Trump has approved federal aid for the counties.

The Carr fire is the largest of eight big fires burning in California, and 90 across the country, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

There are currently 12,000 firefighters battling the flames across the state, according to the BBC.

Wildfires are a common occurrence in California during the state's long, hot, dry summers.

However, experts say this has been the worst start to the fire season in 10 years - partly due to the 2012-2017 drought that killed off large amounts of vegetation.

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