The recent wildfire in California is spreading so far that hundreds of exotic animals are being evacuated from a nature reserve in an exodus reminiscent of the story of Noah's Ark.

Four hundred lions, tigers, mountain lions, ostriches and llamas were placed in cages and relocated from from the Wildlife Waystation to the Los Angeles Zoo and other nearby facilities.

This course of action was employed after forest service representatives told Wildlife Waystation's founder, Martine Collette, that if the fire reached the reserve, everything was likely to burn.

Ms Collette said that the fire department had not provided her with an estimate of how long they had, merely that the fire was dangerous.

Fire fighters are dropping water bombs to combat the blaze which has destroyed more than 50 homes and 48,000 hectares.

The fire started in California on 27 August 2009 and can now be seen from outer space.