California Gov. Jerry Brown declared an emergency following the wildfires that have engulfed dozens of counties in the northern region of the state. The fire burned down thousands of acres and destroyed homes.
Officials fear the spread of the fire given the windy weather conditions due to thunderstorms. The two fires, among 14 burning in the state, began within a day of each other in Lassen National Forest. The fires have expanded to private properties and burned 90 square miles as of Sunday morning, up from 39 square miles a day earlier, reports USA Today.
The emergency also calls for the state's National Guard to assemble in response to the blazes. According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the community of Day, a massive blaze charred 12,700 acres and placed 150 homes under mandatory evacuation notice, reports The Jamestown Sun.
"Today we are looking at slightly cooler temperatures, but Northern California continues to be hot and dry and breezy in some areas, and in fact we are looking at a fire weather watch going into effect Monday morning for a large portion of Northern and northeast California and possible thunderstorms, which could mean more lightning," said Dennis Mathisen, spokesman for Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Firefighters gained control over the El Portal fire burning on the western edge of Yosemite National Park and nearby national forest. At least 4,700 acres were burned down and several dozens were forced to evacuate. Residents of the area from about 50 homes returned Friday afternoon.
The National Park Service said the blaze was 89 percent contained till Saturday night.
Progress against that blaze came despite a brief disruption caused by a small drone aircraft operated in the area by a private hobbyist seeking to film the fire, authorities said.
