Photos Capture Apocalyptic Aftermath Of California Wildfires
An aerial photo of the devastation from the North Bay wildfires north of San Francisco.
At least 17 wildfires blaze through Northern California’s wine country, leaving formerly picturesque parts of the region blackened, charred and resembling scenes from an apocalyptic film.
Fueled by strong winds and dry conditions, the fires have already swept across about 119,000 acres, destroying some 2,000 structures and sparking mass evacuations. At least 15 people are dead and 100 injured. Authorities said they had received about 150 missing persons reports.
The flames scorched 20,000 acres in 12 hours on Monday alone ― a rate of more than a football field every three seconds, CNN points out.
Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency on Monday for Napa, Sonoma and Yuba counties.
Vice President Mike Pence visited Northern California on Tuesday. He praised firefighters “who are literally putting their lives on the line to protect the people of California and protect property.” He announced President Donald Trump had approved a “major disaster declaration” to support the response.
Below, take a look at some photos that reveal the vast, ongoing devastation.
Brian van der Brug via Getty Images
A Fountaingrove Village homeowner reacts as he surveys his destroyed home he has owned for four years in Santa Rosa, California.
Mike Blake / Reuters
A firefighter works to put out hot spots on a fast moving wind-driven wildfire in Orange, California.
Brian van der Brug via Getty Images
A burned vehicle in Hidden Valley.
Brian van der Brug via Getty Images
A firefighter puts out a hot spot that flared up in a destroyed neighborhood in Santa Rosa.
Stuart Palley via Getty Images
Smoke and water stream through the roof of a home destroyed by the Canyon Fire 2 in Anaheim Hills.
Brian van der Brug via Getty Images
A police officer looks over the destruction of a home in Santa Rosa.
Mike Blake / Reuters
Residents use their phones to record firefighters in Orange, California.
Stuart Palley via Getty Images
The DC-10 VLAT, or Very Large Air Tanker, makes a drop between Santiago Canyon Road and Cowan Heights while trying to slow the spread of the Canyon Fire 2 in Anaheim Hills, California.
Irfan Khan via Getty Images
A fireman walks on trail looking for hotspots at Peters Canyon Regional Park in Orange, California.
Brian van der Brug via Getty Images
Mark Williams, right, and friend Norina Wong, left, look over the destruction in their friends' neighborhood off Fountaingrove Parkway near the Hilltop in Santa Rosa.
Stephen Lam / Reuters
A burnt tree stands amidst the destroyed Journey's End Mobile Home Park during the Tubbs Fire in Santa Rosa.
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Smoke and flames rise as a wildfire from the Santa Rosa and Napa Valley moves through the area.
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
The remains of a damaged building are seen in Santa Rosa.
Brian van der Brug via Getty Images
Power poles and lines block a street at Brookdale and Aaron Drive in Hidden Valley, where most of the homes were destroyed by fire in Santa Rosa.
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
A sign sits on the ground next to a fire damaged Arby's restaurant in Santa Rosa.
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
A resident goes through personal belongings in a parking lot in Santa Rosa.
