US: fast moving fire burns forest along California highway

A state of emergency has been declared in California as wildfires ravage the Klamath National Forest.

Associated Press has released vivid footage of fires burning along Highway 96.

The fast-moving McKinney fire, which started Friday, went from charring just over 1 square mile (1 square kilometer) to scorching as much as 62 square miles (160 square kilometers) according to fire officials.

The fire burned down at least a dozen residences and wildlife was seen fleeing the area to avoid the flames.

“It's continuing to grow with erratic winds and thunderstorms in the area and we're in triple digit temperatures," said Caroline Quintanilla, a spokeswoman at Klamath National Forest.

ALSO WATCH: California wildfire engulfs 48 square kilometers; evacuations ordered

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency Saturday as the fire intensified.

The proclamation allows Newsom more flexibility to make emergency response and recovery effort decisions and access federal aid.

Meanwhile in Montana, the Elmo wildfire nearly tripled in size to more than 11 square miles (about 28 square kilometers) within a few miles of the town of Elmo.

Roughly 200 miles (320 kilometers) to the south, Idaho residents remained under evacuation orders as the Moose Fire in the Salmon-Challis National Forest charred more than 67.5 square miles (174.8 square kilometers) in timbered land near the town of Salmon.

It was 17% contained.