A NEW wildfire has triggered evacuation concerns in California as firefighters battle another fast-moving blaze.
It comes as hundreds of buildings have already been destroyed in neighbouring Washington, where cops have now made an arson arrest.
The Gann Fire has ripped through at least 100 acres near New Hogan Lake in Calaveras County, with Cal Fire warning the blaze is racing uphill through grass and brush.
Extra firefighting resources have been called in as residents remain under an advisory and are urged to stay alert for further instructions.
Although no evacuation orders have been issued in California, the latest blaze comes as a far larger wildfire disaster continues to unfold in Washington state.
At least 700 homes, businesses and other structures have been destroyed in and around Spokane, Washington‘s second-largest city, while around 67,000 people have been ordered to evacuate.
Images from the disaster zone showed buildings engulfed in flames as thick black smoke billowed over neighbourhoods.
In many areas, homes were burned to the ground, leaving only chimneys standing among the smoking ruins.
Despite the widespread destruction, officials said there have so far been no reports of injuries or people unaccounted for, though they warned it remains early in the emergency response.
Patients at Spokane’s US Veterans Affairs hospital were among those forced to evacuate, while authorities opened a shelter at the city’s convention centre, where around 400 displaced residents were staying.
Firefighters continue to battle the three major blazes – the Old Trails Fire, Fairview Fire and Meadowview Fire – as dry conditions and powerful winds hamper efforts to bring them under control.
“We are not out of danger,” US Senator Maria Cantwell said during a news conference with federal, state and local officials.
“The next couple of days will be challenging.”
As the firefight continues, investigators announced a major breakthrough after arresting a man accused of starting the largest of the three fires.
Aaron F. Farinacci, 37, of Spokane, was arrested on Monday and booked on suspicion of first-degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire.
Authorities have not announced possible causes for the Fairview or Meadowview fires.
The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation began after a community member reported seeing a nervous-looking man bent down beside the road near dry grass close to where the fire later erupted.