This week, a fast-moving fire forced American officials to order the removal of more than 82,000 people from an area north of San Bernardino, California. Twelve hours after the fire began, it had already burned more than 6,000 hectares. Because of the fire and smoke, officials closed roads, including part of the one that connects the Los Angeles area and Las Vegas, Nevada. Hundreds of people are working to contain the fire. The job is even more difficult because of the hot, windy, and dry weather. Wildfires are common in the western United States during the warm summer months. In northern and central California, wildfires have destroyed more than 100 structures. The fires have forced more than 1,000 people to flee from their homes. Four years of drought little or no rainfall has helped fires spread in northern California.

What does drought mean?
a period in the weather with heavy rainfall
a dry period in the weather with little or no rainfall
to regularly change something
an agreement
What type of weather is not currently happening in California?
hot
windy
wet
dry
Wildfires are common in the western United States during the summer.
spring
winter
fall
summer