Updated at 8:15 p.m. PT Sunday, September 13 to include updated information on both fires
Multiple wildfires continued to blaze through Northern California on Sunday forcing thousands to evacuate from a devastating scene that has become all too common in the drought-ridden state.
The Valley Fire in Lake County, roughly 100 miles north of San Francisco, started early afternoon on Saturday and blazed through 40,000 acres overnight, growing to 50,000 acres by Sunday evening. As of 4 p.m. local time, the fire was zero percent contained.
Multiple towns along Highway 29 have been forced to evacuate, stretches of homes - as many as 1,000 - have been destroyed and at least four firefighters have already been injured.
On Sunday night, fire officials reported the first death due to the fire.
BREAKING: Authorities say 1 killed, more than 400 homes and businesses destroyed in massive California fire.— The Associated Press (@AP) September 14, 2015
@CAL_FIRE Copter 104 FF Richard Reiff in good spirits after suffering burns while attacking the #ValleyFire. pic.twitter.com/ZnNbNKmAGl— Chief Ken Pimlott (@CALFIRE_CHIEF) September 13, 2015
California Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency Sunday morning in Lake and Napa Counties as the fire spread rapidly.
Further to the east, firefighters worked to beat back the Butte Fire raging in Calaveras and Amadaor, outside Sacramento. The fire is 25 percent contained and is at 65,300 acres as of Sunday night after having destroyed more than 100 homes and at least 80 other structures.
Just In - The #ButteFire in Amador & Calaveras counties is now 65,300 acres & 25% contained. Over 4,500 firefighters battling the fire.— CAL FIRE PIO Berlant (@CALFIRE_PIO) September 14, 2015
#valleyfire rages along hwy 175 in lake county pic.twitter.com/XR8isBKVQI— Paul Payne (@ppayne) September 13, 2015
Many fleeing fast-moving #ValleyFire had to abandon their animals. The fate for many of them was death pic.twitter.com/ZMQQ07GU8V— Evan Sernoffsky (@EvanSernoffsky) September 13, 2015
Entire apt complex on Barnes and Main in Middletown -- gone #ValleyFire pic.twitter.com/1WqMq7uEoH— Evan Sernoffsky (@EvanSernoffsky) September 13, 2015
An attempt at a before/after image from Lincoln Street in Middletown using video clip from @joenewsman #ValleyFire pic.twitter.com/6ozDt1G3vn— Chris Dolce (@chrisdolcewx) September 13, 2015
Photo: View of what Strike Team XAL2004A & #ALCOFirefighters faced at the #ValleyFire in Middletown last night. pic.twitter.com/vM2OmB8CLn— Alameda County Fire (@AlamedaCoFire) September 13, 2015
#ValleyFire pic.twitter.com/Gq9buPl3ic— robert daniels (@rdanielsj795) September 13, 2015
Eerie scene along Hyw 29 in Lake County. #ValleyFire pic.twitter.com/wnoM0qo3KX— Gadi Schwartz (@GadiNBCLA) September 13, 2015
#ValleyFire This is the view from Middletown Ca. pic.twitter.com/7OxqqXKPDQ— Nicole Young (@NicoleYoung89) September 12, 2015
#valleyfire destroys Middletown apartments pic.twitter.com/yfOpNBlrNM— Paul Payne (@ppayne) September 13, 2015
ValleyFire near Middletown, as the fire jumped Highway 29.... from Kim Ringesein on Vimeo.
#ValleyFire destruction on Wardlaw st. In Middletown. @NorthBayNews @CALFIRE_PIO @CAL_FIRE #CAdrought #cawildfires pic.twitter.com/z2GLgDwA8M— Kent Porter (@kentphotos) September 13, 2015