Two out-of-control wildfires in California forced hundreds of residents to flee from their homes, including one near a lakeside resort town that has burned 21 structures, authorities said.
The blaze, sparked shortly after 1:30 p.m. Sunday near Bass Lake in Central California, prompted authorities to evacuate about 1,000 residents out of 400 homes, AP quoted Madera County Sheriff's spokeswoman Erica Stuart as saying.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said flames damaged or destroyed 21 structures. The Fresno Bee reports one neighborhood was hit especially hard, with several homes turned to ash and smoldering embers.
'This is gut-wrenching,' CalFire Battalion Chief Chris Christopherson told the newspaper. 'It makes you sick.'
The fire started off a road outside of Oakhurst, a foothill community south of the entrance to Yosemite National Park, and made a run to the edge of Bass Lake. Stoked by winds, it quickly charred at least 320 acres (130 hectares), CalFire spokesman Daniel Berlant said.
The fire is 20 percent contained.
The area is a popular destination throughout the year. There were no reports of the blaze affecting the park.
Further north, a wildfire about 60 miles (96 kilometers) east of Sacramento forced the evacuation of 133 homes. El Dorado County Sheriff's officials said residents of another 406 homes were being told to prepare to flee.
Berlant said the blaze started in a remote area Saturday, but exploded on Sunday when it reached a canyon full of thick, dry brush. It grew by about 900 acres (364 hectares) overnight to 3,900 acres (1,578. hectares). It was 10 percent contained.
A heat wave was expected to last through Tuesday in Southern California, and a smoke advisory was in effect for parts of Riverside and Orange counties.