Barely 12 hours after they started, a wildfire burning north of San Francisco has wiped out more than 24 hectares (60 acres) of land, caused burns four firefighters and burned roads and buildings, forcing authorities to make a declaration of emergency and thousands of people to flee the area.
A police official confirmed Saturday afternoon that over 100 homes have been hit by fires. The injured firefighters, all members of a crew that was traveling by helicopter, were airlifted to a burn unit of a hospital, where they were treated for second degree burns
Meanwhile, the fire in Lake County exploded Saturday afternoon and quickly progressed through dry brush and trees after a drought of several years, the Department of Forestry and Fire California reported. Entire villages were evacuated and residents on the sides of a stretch of 35 miles (50 kilometers) of freeway.
The fire, which broke out on Wednesday destroyed 86 homes, 51 other buildings and threatened 6,400 more.
"I lost all my business burned. My shop, my home, 28 years of life," said Joe Thomas, who lives near the community of Mountain Ranch. "I have to start over. It's depressing."
Thomas, who ran a dealership for the sale and repair of tractors, said he and his wife alone amounted to grab some documents, computer work, photos and four dogs. They had to abandon a goat, five ducks, six rabbits and 30 chickens.
"I opened the pens and let it go. I could not take them," he said. "All I want to do is go home. This is terrible." More than 3,850 firefighters were assigned to fight the blaze and expected them to join more. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Meanwhile, new orders were issued for the disposal of the state, threatening to raze an ancient forest of giant sequoia largest wildfire. The fire, caused by lightning on July 31, has charred 201 square miles (521 square kilometers), said US Forest Service.
