This story was updated on Sept. 16 at 3:47 p.m. PT
Two new wildfires swept through northern California on Monday and Tuesday, destroying homes and forcing hundreds to evacuate, according to local fire agencies. Extremely dry conditions have expedited the spread of the two blazes, the Courtney Fire and the Boles Fire.
According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the Courtney Fire has burned 320 acres of Madera County; as of 8 a.m. PT on Tuesday, that fire had destroyed 33 homes in the unincorporated community of Oakhurst. In Mount Shasta, about six hours north of Oakhurst, the Boles Fire damaged or leveled 100 homes.
Firefighters are experiencing "extreme fire behavior conditions due to drought and low fuel moisture," per a Cal Fire incident report, and 650 personnel are working to contain the blaze. (As of Tuesday morning, about 40% of it has been successfully contained.) The Courtney Fire burned down to the shores of Bass Lake on the edge of the Yosemite National Park.
"This is gut-wrenching," Cal Fire Battalion Chief Chris Christopherson told the Fresno Bee. "It makes you sick."
The Boles Fire forced the evacuation of various areas throughout California's Siskiyou County, and has burned 375 acres and damaged or destroyed more than 150 structures since it began spreading on Sunday. Cal Fire Public Information Office Daniel Berlant tweeted that the fire destroyed some firefighters' homes too.
The fires are the most recent in a spate of almost a dozen wildfires burning across the state (see the map below). Around 100 visitors were airlifted from a fire in Yosemite earlier this month when the blaze unexpectedly approached the popular Half Dome peak.
View California Fire Map in a larger map
California's extreme drought has increased the risk of wildfire statewide, and the National Weather Service issued a red-flag warning of "fire weather" in Southern California. The message warns that the area's triple-digit heatwave, high winds, dry vegetation and low humidity mean any spark could set off a huge fire.
Dry vegetation in California's historic drought has worsened the wildfires. This year's wildfire season has been the most destructive yet resulting in horrifying images on social media posted by locals of their smoking hometowns.
Forest Fire in Weed California pic.twitter.com/7vNom2bFt2
— Magical Thinking (@magical_thinkng) September 15, 2014
My wife just got these pics from a friend in #WeedCa of the #BolesFire pic.twitter.com/7A0zEhKG7x
— Ken Bodnar (@KenBodnar) September 16, 2014
The Weed Catholic Church #BolesFire pic.twitter.com/IYIjPJpSmZ
— Clownpuncher (@TheClownpuncher) September 15, 2014
Shot of DC-10 dropping on the #CourtneyFire at Bass Lake Heights. These guys saved my families homes today. pic.twitter.com/D9YA2lP9mS
— Jeff Aiello (@Jeff_Aiello) September 15, 2014
Awful to watch my childhood home burn up today. #CourtneyFire heart goes out to those that lost more. pic.twitter.com/YpuVzlnTQe
— Jeff Aiello (@Jeff_Aiello) September 15, 2014
Tragically over 150 structures were damaged & destroyed by the #BolesFire. 1500-2000 residents threatened. pic.twitter.com/Lufh1OXjlZ— CAL FIRE PIO Berlant (@CALFIRE_PIO) September 16, 2014
Child's tea set ... Only color in a pile of ashes #BolesFire pic.twitter.com/kwpftg4byp— Anjali Hemphill (@AnjaliHemphill) September 16, 2014