Publication Date July 9, 2017 | WVTM via CNN

Scorching heat threatens to propel California wildfires

United States

Firefighters in California continue to battle growing wildfires amid a record-breaking heatwave and predictions of storms that could make things worse.

Already, hundreds of homes have been evacuated as the blazes continued to grow Sunday.

On Sunday afternoon Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency. The declaration mobilizes the California National Guard to help with disaster response and relief efforts.

According to the state of emergency proclamation, the fire threatens critical infrastructure and has forced the closure of major highways and roads.

More than 4,000 people are under a mandatory evacuation in parts of Bangor and Oroville, and more than 7,400 people are under evacuation advisories due to the wildfire. Cal Fire said 5,400 structures are being threatened by the blaze.

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More than 40 high-temperature records were set or tied Saturday across the West, including in Los Angeles; Las Vegas, Nevada; Helena, Montana; and Boise, Idaho.