Wildfire Burns Through Historic California Town

A 3-week-old wildfire engulfed a Northern California mountain town, leaving much of the downtown in ashes, while a new wind-whipped blaze also destroyed homes as crews braced for another explosive run of flames Thursday in the midst of dangerous weather.

The Dixie Fire, swollen by bone-dry vegetation and 40 mph (64 kph) gusts, raged through the northern Sierra Nevada town of Greenville on Wednesday evening.

A gas station, hotel and bar were among many fixtures gutted in the town, which dates to California’s Gold Rush era and has some structures more than a century old.

It wasn’t immediately known how many buildings were demolished, but photos and video from the scene indicate the destruction was widespread.

‘We lost Greenville tonight,’ U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa, who represents the area, said in an emotional Facebook video. ‘There’s just no words.’