Photos Capture Destructive Fury Of Fires In California Wine Country

Ryan Grenoble

More than a dozen wildfires have ignited across California wine country in the last 24 hours, leading to at least one death in Mendocino County.

All told, 15 fires have so far destroyed at least 1,500 structures and burned more than 73,000 acres across nine counties, reports the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. More than 20,000 residents have been forced to evacuate.

California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) declared a state of emergency in Napa, Sonoma, and Yuba Counties.

“These fires have destroyed structures and continue to threaten thousands of homes, necessitating the evacuation of thousands of residents,” Brown’s proclamation said. “These fires have damaged and continue to threaten critical infrastructure and have forced the closure of major highways and local roads.”

According to the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, an officer spotted one of the fires at 1:10 a.m. Monday, when severe wind gusts downed trees and power lines, sparking a fast-growing blaze.

Fire glows on a hillside in Napa County, California, on Oct. 9, 2017, as multiple wind-driven blazes continue to whip through the region.
Fire glows on a hillside in Napa County, California, on Oct. 9, 2017, as multiple wind-driven blazes continue to whip through the region.
A resident jumps from his home's roof as a wildfire moves through Glen Ellen, California.
A resident jumps from his home's roof as a wildfire moves through Glen Ellen, California.
Flames overtake a structure in California's famed wine region.
Flames overtake a structure in California's famed wine region.
Firefighters douse flames as a home burns. 
Firefighters douse flames as a home burns. 
Tens of thousands of acres and dozens of homes and businesses have burned in wildfires that ignited in Northern California.
Tens of thousands of acres and dozens of homes and businesses have burned in wildfires that ignited in Northern California.
Flames ravage a home. 
Flames ravage a home. 
A firefighter is silhouetted as a house burns in the background.
A firefighter is silhouetted as a house burns in the background.
A firefighter walks near a swimming pool as a neighboring home burns.
A firefighter walks near a swimming pool as a neighboring home burns.
A truck is totally consumed by flames.
A truck is totally consumed by flames.
A vehicle's burned-out windshield frames the charred remains of a home.
A vehicle's burned-out windshield frames the charred remains of a home.
A chimney is all that is left of a home after fire swept through.
A chimney is all that is left of a home after fire swept through.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.