There were post-apocalyptic scenes in California tonight as raging wildfires blitzed 115,000 acres, destroying at least 400 homes and forcing thousands of terrified residents to flee.
As many as 5,000 firefighters were tackling two mammoth blazes that have torn across the state, with entire towns evacuated.
Lake and Napa counties were in a state of emergency after the Valley Fire, which erupted 100 miles north of San Francisco, destroyed 400 homes, two apartment complexes and spread across 50,000 acres of land.
So far one person has died although authorities were unable to give any details about the deceased.
The even larger Butte Fire, in Amador and Calaveras Counties, has torn through 65,000 acres and destroyed yet more houses.
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There were post-apocalyptic scenes in California tonight as raging wildfires blitzed 115,000 acres, destroying at least 180 homes and forcing thousands of terrified residents to flee
Destruction: As many as 5,000 firefighters were tackling two mammoth blazes that have torn across the state, with entire towns evacuated
California Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency in the Lake and Napa counties on Sunday after a wildfire charred nearly 50,000 acres within 12 hours
Four firefighters suffered second-degree burns in the Valley Fire, which erupted 100 miles north of San Francisco on Saturday afternoon
Two towns have also been forced to evacuate and more than 5,000 firefighters are working to beat back the two mammoth blazes
The Valley Fire has destroyed an unconfirmed number of homes and damaged highways and other infrastructure
California Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency for counties affected by both fires, which look likely to burn through the night
Fire map; A spate of wildfires have sprung up in California, with the Butte and Valley infernos wreaking more havoc than the other blazes
California Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency for counties affected by both fires.
The Butte Fire, which still threatens another 6,000 residences, exploded due to triple-digit temperatures and land parched in the drought-stricken state, according to California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokesman Daniel Berlant.
More than 4,000 firefighters are trying to contain the flames 70 miles south east of Sacramento and were able to increase containment to 25 per cent by late Sunday.
A thousands more are tackling the Valley blaze, with four airlifted to hospital after suffering second-degree burns. They are now in a stable condition.
Mandatory evacuations were ordered for several communities and more than 5,000 in Northern California are currently without power, Berlant said.
Chaos: Daniel Ravera, left, and Bill Stafford, right, stand on a neighbors home to watch the fire move towards their property Sunday
A firefighter is seen lighting a back burn along Highway 29 near Middletown, California, as the fires showed no sign of abating tonight
Tragedy: A dead horse lies next to a road as fires swept through California, with dust and smoke spreading across villages too
Smoke rises near a house as the 100 square mile wide Butte Fire approaches, throwing a plume of smoke into the air
Animal rescue group volunteer Chad Hughes, right, carries a goat to a trailer from a home threatened by a fire near Railroad Flat, California
Brown had earlier already declared a state of emergency for a fire, raging 70 miles southeast of Sacramento, that has charred more than 65,000 acres and destroyed 85 homes
Abandoned: A playground is surrounded by smoldering rubble while firefighters continue to battle the Valley fire in Middletown, California
A carport frame and burned cars remain outside an apartment complex destroyed by fire Sunday in Middletown, California
More than 1,000 firefighters are working to beat back the Valley blaze, with four airlifted to hospital after suffering second-degree burns
Mandatory evacuations were ordered for several communities and more than 5,000 in Northern California are currently without power
Destruction: A burnt out car lies in ruin after wildfire tore through parts of California, destroying everything in its wake
A firefighter with the Montezuma Fire District puts out hot spots on the remains of a home destroyed by the Valley Fire
Pieces of a playground still stand at an apartment complex completely ravaged by the Valley Fire
Authorities ordered the entire community of more than 2,700 residents to evacuate San Andreas on Friday, but lifted the order when flames headed away from town.
But the fire forced one evacuation center to pack up and change location's twice as the flames switched directions, according to NBC.
Firefighters on the ground were hampered by rugged, hard-to-access terrain. With very little wind, the fires were driven by bone-dry brush and timber.
Brown's state of emergency declaration will expedite debris removal and waive fees to people who need to replace official documents lost in the fire.
It will also help free up funding and resources needed to fight the blazes.
Martin Lawson, who has lived in Sheep Ranch for over 40 years, watches a fire approach his property as people start to give up hope and flee
Firefighters take a brief rest after days of tackling the blazes - with many more exhausting days ahead for the brave crews
The declaration will expedite debris removal and waive fees to people who need to replace official documents lost in the fire and will help free up funding and resources needed to fight the blazes
A man snaps a photo as the Valley Fire rolls in to Middletown on the slopes of Cobb Mountain on Saturday
Firefighters stand guard as flames from the Butte Fire approach a containment line in San Andreas, California
Only a frame and few pieces of furniture still stand at a Middletown home destroyed by the Valley Fire
Burned cars stand outside the ravaged homes of the town, which was one of several communities forced to evacuate
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