State of emergency declared as wildfires spread through Northern California

One person was reported dead Monday and 500 homes have been destroyed as wildfires continue to sweep through Northern California.

Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes as the wildfire continues to spread over several counties.

According to USA Today, the Butte Fire which started in Amador County, has grown to more than 71,000 acres and is only 30 percent contained while the Valley fire is only five percent contained and has spread to 61,000 acres.

The speed with which these wildfires are spreading can be attributed to California’s dry weather conditions that are a result of the state’s prolonged drought. 11,000 firefighters are working to combat the numerous fires.

BBC News reported the Red Cross is opening emergency shelters for evacuated residents as hundreds of buildings and up to 1,000 structures have been destroyed.

Gov. Jerry Brown issued a state of emergency on Sunday stating, “We are really in a battle with nature, that nature is more powerful than we are.”