California wildfire: Two dead as firefighters battle McKinney blaze

Two people have been found dead amid the huge wildfire sweeping through northern California which has forced thousands from their homes.

The bodies of the dead pair were found inside a car in the driveway of a property caught in the blaze.

Siskiyou County Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue told ABC News the two seemed to be trying to escape the area.

The McKinney Fire has burned more than 50,000 acres, making it California's largest this year.

The identities of the two dead people are not being released until their families have been notified.

California's Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency over the fire, which began on Friday afternoon before rapidly exploding in size due to a combination of dry fuel after a drought, strong winds and lightning strikes.

Hundreds of firefighters are battling to contain the fire, but with little success. Sheriffs said on Sunday evening that it was "0% contained".

As a result, more than 2,000 inhabitants of the area around the Klamath National Forest are being forced to evacuate their homes. Rescue teams have been aiding hikers who had been on the national park's trails.

The nearby town of Yreka - home to several thousand people - has not been evacuated, and remains outside the fire's grasp.

But the state is seeing frequent large fires during its months-long fire season. The Oak Fire, far to the south near Yosemite National Park, is still ablaze after more than a week - though it has now been brought under control and is no longer growing.

Climate change increases the risk of the hot, dry weather that is likely to fuel wildfires.