When ZOO lands in California en route to meet Gemma Atkinson, much of the state is, um... on fire.

Weather experts are blaming the 100-degree heat, responsible they say for igniting huge areas of tinder-dry brush in the mountains. Frankly, we're not so sure.

The real cause could, in fact, be pinpointed to where ZOO's heading - a studio in the hills, where Gemma's peeling off to promote her raunchy role in EA's upcoming strategy masterpiece Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3.

It's a photoshoot so sizzling it has every chance of hitting truly Earth-scorching temperatures. See Gemma's hot pictures then watch her even hotter video below!

OK. She might not be solely responsible for the fiery decimation of hundreds of square miles of California. Nevertheless, this is hot stuff because, as ever, 34E Gem is looking absolutely stunning.

She's spent a morning shooting scenes in-character as foxy Lt Eva McKenna, loyal aide to the commander of the allied coalition (that's you) and the in-game honey guiding you through missions (annihilate Russia and Japan before they conquer the world). She'll even invite you on a cheeky date, if you manage to stay alive long enough.

Once filming wraps, Gemma slips into "uniform" for her sexy ZOO shoot. And before we know it, the 23-year-old's telling us why she wants LA to be her second home, how Red Alert 3 is just the start of her Hollywood career and, bizarrely, why she's got several dinner dates lined up with old I'm A Celeb pal, "Biggins"...

Gemma! This is all a bit different to Hollyoaks or anything else you've done. What exactly are you up to out here?
I'm shooting in-game scenes for my role as Lt Eva McKenna in their new game Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3. I communicate mission intelligence on behalf of the allied troops. I also kind of have a crush on the commander! And I have a rival, called Tanya, played by Jenny McCarthy, who also has a crush on the same guy!

Is this the start of something bigger for you in Hollywood?
Yes! This was the step I needed to get into the LA scene. There are some fantastic names involved with Red Alert 3 and the director and photographer I've been working with have been amazing. And, thankfully, they seem pleased with the work I've done, so we've all swapped contact details. I'm back over here in October to hopefully cement down a few more deals for acting and presenting.

We take it that you're a fan of California, then?
Definitely! I went out shopping yesterday and everything's cheaper than in the UK, which is fab. And someone introduced me to the 24oz burger! Every time someone orders one, they're like, "Ladies and gentleman, introducing..." It was the size of my head! Plus, all the people here are laid back - probably because the weather's so good! I could easily have Los Angeles as a second home. I'd like to look into buying somewhere here so I can come out and work from my own place, instead of being in and out of hotels. That's my next project - I'm going to get me a condo in LA!

And when the movie offers flood in, what sort of roles do you fancy?
I'd love to do an action movie like Lara Croft: Tomb Raider or Gone In 60 Seconds. I want to do something you have to learn a martial art for - so I can come away with a skill. Maybe a Jackie Chan movie? I could do the whole kick boxing stuff then come back to England hard as nails!

What about the paparazzi over in the US? Do you mind having lenses thrust in your face while you're out and about?
I understand they have a job to do. You have to expect that. It's how they earn a living. I'm not going to sit in my hotel room saying I don't want to be photographed. But I'm also not going to go out dressed up to the nines and expect anything! If someone says I look scruffy, fat or that I shouldn't have been picking my nose, then bollocks to them! Ha!

What do the Yanks make of your Bury accent?
They like it! I went to a baseball game to see the LA Dodgers play and one of the guys working in the shop asked where I was from. He told me my accent was really nice!

And what do people think of a girl from Bury helping to save the world in the game?
I think doing the role of Eva has been OK - I'm still perfecting my received pronunciation, so I'm lucky they liked my different Northern accent! So yeah, a girl from Bury is going to save the world! I'm quite proud. My mum will definitely be proud!

Are you actually any good at playing computer games?
Growing up, I was obsessed with them! I was really into a ninja game called The Revenge Of Shinobi. But I had loads: Mortal Kombat to PaRappa The Rapper to Lara Croft.

So do you and your girl pals have nights in playing games?
My best friend's fiancé works at PC World, so we get a lot of Wii games and have Wii nights! We do the Wii Fit. And we play the Bowling - I'm champion of that! But someone always ends up getting hurt! You always go to bowl when someone's behind you!

So other than house-hunting in Los Angeles, what else are you up to this summer?
I'm doing a project for ITV2 later this month. I'm really excited about that. My 2009 calendar is out in September, Red Alert 3 is released in October and, from 6 December to 4 January, I've signed up for Peter Pan at the Opera House in Manchester. I've got flying lessons planned too, as I'm attached to a wire! I've also got Boogie Woogie out in August - a film I shot with Jaime Winstone.

Hang on. The one where you snog each other?
Yeah! Me and Jaime had to do a lesbian scene. But it's been more hyped up than it actually is. It was really good working with Jaime!

Does your old I'm A Celeb pal Christopher Biggins stay in touch, like he promised?
Funnily enough, I saw Biggins at the airport on the way here! But I felt bad as he'd left me a voicemail and I forgot to ring him back!

Be honest. You didn't really "forget", did you?
I did! I got it just before I boarded a flight from Portugal to England and thought, "I'll ring him when I land." And I did genuinely forget. Then a few days later, I saw him at the airport and he said, "Did you get my message?" But we're going to meet up when I'm next in London and go for dinner. And I think Biggins is doing panto, too, so I'll definitely get a few tips!

l Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 is out for Xbox 360 & PC on 31 October