California fires leave destruction and missing people in their wake

Video shows how a city burns due to Dixie fire 0:54

(CNN) -

Two wildfires in Northern California destroyed dozens of homes, left people missing or injured and prompted evacuations Thursday.

It all happened in less than 48 hours.

The Dixie, California's largest active fire, has destroyed "more than 100 homes" and is on track to damage more structures, said Plumas County Sheriff Todd Johns.

In addition, he added that authorities are searching for four people who were missing in the area on Thursday.

"What I'm telling people right now is that if a plume of smoke is somewhere near your direction and it's still miles away, you should prepare [to leave]. Even if you haven't heard it's under a warning, "Johns said.

The voracity of fire in California is seen from space 0:46

The massive fire has already burned 146,420 acres and was 35% contained Thursday night, according to Cal Fire.

A community ravaged by fire

The historic town of Greenville in Plumas County has almost been razed to the ground.

At the community mall on Main Street and State Route 89, nearly all of the businesses appeared to have collapsed or destroyed.

Meanwhile, flames continued to flicker in the rubble on both sides of the streets, according to a video recorded Wednesday by storm chaser Brandon Clement.

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Increased fire activity prompted officials to issue an evacuation order in Lassen County.

The latest orders apply to areas north and east of the Mountain Meadows Reservoir, according to the Lassen County Sheriff's Office.

About 80 miles to the south, the River Fire raging through Nevada and Placer counties has destroyed at least 76 structures and at least 20 structures have been damaged, according to the Cal Fire update Thursday night.

The damage assessment has not yet been finalized, because inspectors are unable to access all affected areas as the fire increases.

Doug LaMalfa: Washington must act on fires 1:47

Wounded, evacuated and missing after the fire

Two residents and a firefighter were injured in the fire, Cal Fire said, adding that more than 800 people are fighting the fire.

Elsewhere, in Placer County, nearly 2,400 people are being evacuated, Placer County Sheriff's Office spokesman Nelson Resendes said Wednesday.

In Nevada County, at least 4,200 residents are under an evacuation order or warning, Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon said.

US forest fires do not subside 0:57

"Don't risk it"

"If you get an evacuation warning, go away. And if you get an order, get out. Don't risk it ... We don't need you there; you're taking your life in your hands," Placer County Sheriff Devon Bell said Wednesday. at a press conference.

The fire increased to 1,052 hectares on Thursday from 566 hectares the day before.

Meanwhile, containment stood at 15% on Thursday, down from zero on Wednesday.

An entire town evacuated due to forest fires 3:03

"Firefighters took advantage of today's colder temperatures and made good progress in building containment lines around the fire. A combination of additional crews, ground resources, and aircraft increased containment to 15%, while maintaining the spread surface of the fire. fire to a minimum, "according to Cal Fire.

However, firefighters warned that there is a possibility of a complication in the behavior of the fire on Friday due to an "anticipated increase in temperatures and gusts of wind."

Fires