California’s largest wildfire has destroyed numerous buildings and forests and is only one of 86 wildfires currently blazing across the US.

As of Monday, the Dixie Fire had already burned an area more than the size of New York City, and is currently the largest wildfire in California, according to reports.

The Dixie Fire has destroyed nearly 200,000 acres of land and was only 21 percent contained as of Sunday, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).

The fire department added that 5,000 firefighters were being used to tackle the wildfire, which started on 14th July.

Cal Fire said the blaze has so far destroyed 16 buildings, including private homes, while over 10,000 structures in the Californian counties of Butte and Plumas are under threat.

Fire officials said the blaze “continues to burn in a remote area with limited access, and extended travel times with steep terrain are hampering control efforts”.

On Saturday, the wildfire crossed highways 70 and 89, prompting fire crews to protect the areas of Indian Falls and Paxton.

Evacuated resident Cindy Pierson said she is “very anxious” about the fire, adding that “it’s scary”.

Pierson, who has lived in Quincy in Plumas County for three months, added: “I’ve never been through anything like this. I want to come home as soon as possible, and I want there to be a home.”

Local resident Henry Riel said: “You pray that the wind goes the right way, but when it turns you’ve just got to be prepared to move and get ready to go.”

On Friday, the wildfires in northern California prompted governor Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency in four of the state’s counties.

The alert included the counties of Plumas, Lassen, Alpine and Butte, which suffered the most devastating wildfire in state history back in 2018.

According to the National Interagency Fire Center, the Dixie Fire is just one of 86 wildfires in the US that have so far burned over 1.4 million acres.

The Tamarack Fire is raging on California’s border with Nevada and has destroyed over 66,000 acres and is only 27 percent contained.

The police started escorting evacuated families back to their homes in the counties of El Dorado and Alpine on Sunday to retrieve important items and pets.

Officials have stated that damage assessment experts will survive the full extent of the devastation when the conditions have improved.