Wildfire in California is out of control 1:33
(CNN) -
As thousands of residents had to flee a threatening wildfire outside California's Yosemite National Park over the weekend, some have learned that their homes have completely collapsed to ash and rubble.
Fire in California destroys more than 2,000 hectares and forces forced evacuations outside Yosemite National Park
Since the Oak Fire started last Friday in the Sierra Nevada foothills, it has multiplied in size to more than 15,000 acres, destroying at least 10 structures and damaging five others, according to state fire officials.
And to that, add that more than 3,200 structures are under threat from the fire, which is still contained at 0%, although the authorities indicated that they have made progress.
"It is very sad to see that the house in which I grew up disappeared"
As fire swept through Mariposa County this weekend, Nick Smith's parents, Jane and Wes Smith, lost their home of 37 years.
They were left with "just the clothes on their backs and the shoes on their feet," Smith told CNN.
"It is very sad to see that the house in which I grew up and was raised disappeared," he said.
"It hits you hard."
Her mother barely had enough time to load her horses into the car and flee the area, Smith said.
While, he explained to her, her father was working to contain the fire as a deputy sheriff in Mariposa County.
Now, the couple is staying with friends and family as they recover from the loss.
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Smith started a GoFundMe page to support her parents' recovery process.
"37 years of memories, generations of family treasures, and countless more sentimental things. Although they are material things, it is devastating to literally lose everything in the blink of an eye without warning," she wrote.
A firefighter sprays water on a burning tree in the Oak fire near Midpines in northeastern California's Mariposa County on Saturday.
The Smith family is among more than 3,000 people forced to evacuate their homes due to the Oak Fire, according to a statement released by Gov. Gavin Newsom's office Saturday.
The fire also forced the closure of portions of the 140 Freeway and several adjacent highways, the California Department of Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire, reported.
Oak fire state of emergency in California
Newsom declared a state of emergency for Mariposa County on Saturday over thousands of displaced residents, destroyed homes and threatened critical infrastructure.
An evacuation center was established at Mariposa Elementary School, as well as a small animal shelter.
In addition, the county's amusement park and Coursegold Rodeo Grounds now serve as a large animal shelter, according to the sheriff's office.
"Fire activity was not as extreme as previous days. Firefighters made good progress today," Cal Fire wrote in an update late Sunday.
He also noted that his staff was able to contain the fire and protect the community of Mariposa Pines.
In total, more than 2,500 firefighters are battling the flames.
The teams use more than a dozen helicopters.
Also 281 fire trucks and 46 tanker trucks, which are needed to transport large amounts of water, according to Cal Fire.
The Oak Fire burns multiple trees near Jerseydale, California.
Portions of the Sierra National Forest, which flanks and partially overlaps with Mariposa County, were closed to the public due to the fire, the Forest Service announced Sunday.
"Fire behavior consists of encircling, backing and creeping through National Forest Systems lands, roads and recreational areas," the agency posted on its website.
"This closure will support public safety by keeping people out of dangerous fire areas and allow firefighting resources to combat the flames without public interference."
This is the largest active fire in California
The Oak fire is now the largest of all those that are active in California.
Precisely, it has been strengthened by prolonged drought conditions in much of the state.
Dry weather leaves brush and vegetation brittle, allowing it to burn quickly.
Cal Fire recognizes that the state's longer wildfire seasons – which experts say have begun to stretch throughout the year – are a direct result of climate change.
Firefighters in Southern California braced for a tough summer this year, anticipating hotter and drier conditions as well as more frequent wildfires, despite firefighting crews experiencing worker shortages.
CNN's Chris Boyette, Sara Smart and Michelle Watson all contributed to this report.
CaliforniaCalifornia FiresYosemite National Park