California wildfires: Astronaut captures picture which shows true extent of wildfire damage

The Carr Fire in California has left a path of destruction, debris and scorched remains in its wake since it started on July 23.

It has already covered more than 13,000 square acres of northern California, burning down forests and damaging buildings.

A report today from CNN suggests that the fire may have been caused by a flat tyre, as the rim of a trailer scrapped along the road in Redding, causing sparks to fly into the air.

That insignificant moment has led to devastation on such an epic proportion that it is now visible from space.

Pictures taken by German astronaut Alexander Gerst from the International Space Station on Friday show huge columns of smoke emanating from the region of California.

They are so big that they even have their own domineering shadows and appear to cover miles upon miles of ground in surrounding areas.

Wildfires are not uncommon in this area of California but an extended drought and the intense heatwave have led to this becoming the sixth-most destructive wildfire in the history of the state.

Six people have already died as a result of the fire, which now covers an area larger than Denver and even has it's own weather system.

There are currently 17 other fires currently burning in the state, some of which can also be seen in Gerst's photos.

HT Mashable

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