New evacuations as largest wildfire in Oregon expands further

Firefighters search for hot spots on the north-east side of the Bootleg Fire (Nathan Howard/AP)

Firefighters are scrambling to control a raging blaze in south-eastern Oregon which is spreading miles a day in windy conditions, one of numerous fires across the US West that are straining resources.

Authorities ordered a new round of evacuations on Thursday amid worries that the Bootleg Fire, which has already destroyed 21 homes, could merge with another blaze that also grew explosively amid dry and blustery conditions.