Apocalypse Now: California Suffers From Disastrous Wildfires

The mountain city of Greenville, founded during the Gold Rush era, has been one of the worst-hit by the wildfire: the blaze destroyed over 100 houses, forcing people to evacuate, leaving their homes to the raging flames. According to researchers, the fire has already scorched over 504 square miles (1,305 square kilometres) - an area that is larger than Los Angeles.

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A home is engulfed in flames as the Dixie fire rages on in Greenville, California on 5 August 2021. The largest wildfire in California has razed a small town, warping street lights and destroying historic buildings hours after residents were ordered to flee.

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Smoke billows from the River Fire in Colfax, California on 4 August 2021 in this picture obtained from social media.

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Firefighters work at the scene of a home engulfed in flames during the Dixie fire in Greenville, California on 4 August 2021.

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Battalion Chief Sergio Mora looks on as the Dixie fire burns through downtown Greenville, California on 4 August 2021.

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A dark orange sky due to the Dixie fire is seen in Lassen County, California on 5 August 2021 in this screengrab obtained from a social media video.

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Vehicles and a home are engulfed in flames as the Dixie fire rages on in Greenville, California on 5 August 2021.

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Resident Jon Cappleman prepares to defend his home during the Dixie fire in Twain, California on 24 July 2021. Even as dense smoke from an enormous wildfire blows closer to Jon Cappleman's home in rural northern California, the 60-something man rebuffs calls to evacuate. "A lot of people think we're foolish", he says. But if it comes down to it, Cappleman has a plan: he will fight the flames of the Dixie fire himself.

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Firefighters watch plumes of smoke from wind-driven fires that closed Highway 89 temporarily due to the Dixie Fire, a wildfire near the town of Greenville, California on 5 August 2021.

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The Tamarack fire is seen in Markleeville, California on 17 July 2021 in this still image obtained from a social media video.

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This undated satellite image, courtesy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), shows smoke rising from the Dixie fire in California.

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Tamarack fire is seen in Markleeville, California on 17 July 2021 in this still image obtained from a social media video.

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Resident Woody Hovland inspects a burned-out commercial building owned by his friend following the Dixie fire, a wildfire that tore through the town of Greenville, California on 5 August 2021.

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A home is consumed by flames in the River fire, a wildfire burning in Grass Valley, California on 4 August 2021.

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A dark smoke plume from the Dixie fire billows towards Chester, California on 3 August 2021. The Dixie fire has burned more than 250,000 acres and continues to get closer to residential communities.

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A fire-damaged street sign marks Main Street in the decimated downtown of Greenville, California during the Dixie fire on 5 August 2021.