California fires: What's happening?

Image source, AFP/Getty

Image caption, Firefighters are working hard to put out the fires

Thousands of firefighters are still trying to tackle wildfires across California in the United States.

Extremely strong winds have been making things difficult for the emergency services as they are helping to spread the flames.

A new fire in the Simi Valley - which was been named the Easy Fire- tripled in size in just two hours and nearly destroyed the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, but staff managed to protect it.

Video caption, WATCH: 大象传媒 reporter Peter Bowes is in Los Angeles

Hundreds of thousands of people were left without electricity in their homes as power companies have tried to stop damaged cables from triggering new fires.

There have also been mass evacuations across the state as people were told to leave their homes to go somewhere safer.

It's included celebrities such as basketball player LeBron James and actor-turned-politician Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Image source, AFP/Getty

Image caption, This aircraft is helping to fight the fire

Why has people's power been switched off?

Power companies are trying to stop damaged cables from starting new fires, which will protect people who live there.

Pacific Gas & Electric are already facing an investigation by regulators after cutting supplies to almost a million homes.

It announced that another 650,000 properties would face shut-offs on Tuesday because of high winds.

Image source, Getty/AFP

Image caption, Officials say one of the biggest fires is 10% contained
Video caption, WATCH: What it's like to live near wildfires in California

What's happening now?

1,000 firefighters are working at the moment to try and protect the community.

Ventura County Fire Chief, Mark Lorenzen, told a news conference "we have another 24 hours of significant weather conditions and a lot of threat."

The Easy Fire, which covers the south of California, has spread across 1,600 acres and fire crews are warning the public to "stay aware and be prepared for evacuation".

In Los Angeles, the Getty Fire has burned over 600 acres and about 10,000 buildings are in an evacuation zone.

At least eight homes have been destroyed and five others damaged.

Schools are still closed in Sonoma Country in northern California, where tens of thousands of homes and businesses are under threat.

That's where the Kincade Fire, which started on Wednesday has burned through 50,000 acres of land but officials say 10% of it is now under control.