Rubble smolders in footage captured after Dixie Fire destruction

The Dixie Fire ablaze in Northern California's Butte and Plumas counties has burned more than 181,000 acres as of Sunday morning. The fire, which has been active since last week, was only 20% contained, according to CalFire.

The fire was threatening 1,510 structures and had destroyed 16, according to a Saturday morning update from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). The fire has prompted more than a dozen evacuation orders. Next, the blaze is expected to move northeast, with the potential for erratic fire growth in the coming days.

To make matters worse, the fire is engulfing steep terrain, making it difficult for firefighters to control it. Cal Fire expects the fire to expand rapidly and for the fire's behavior to remain "extreme."

Jessica and Benjamin Bell watch as the Dixie Fire burns along Highway 70 in Plumas National Forest, Calif., on Friday, July 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

AccuWeather forecasts temperatures in the low to mid-90s F to end the weekend. Today's forecast includes no chance of any precipitation.

More than 5,000 personnel have been assigned to the fire. According to Cal Fire, 490 engines, 34 helicopters and 159 dozers -- among other resources -- have been assigned to the fire.

Video footage captured by storm chaser Brandon Clement of LSM showed that rubble is all that's left after the Dixie Fire torched homes and a historic mine.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday that the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention secured 12 additional firefighting aircrafts.

Jessica Bell takes a video as the Dixie Fire burns along Highway 70 in Plumas National Forest, Calif., on Friday, July 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

"Climate change is the driving force behind the extreme weather we see across the globe - creating hotter, drier conditions in Western states and contributing to unparalleled risk of catastrophic wildfire," Newsom said.

Earlier this past week, Newsom announced that the state secured a Fire Management Grant from the Federal Management Agency to help to suppress the Dixie Fire, according to a press release.

The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

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The Dixie Fire is not far from where the 2018 Camp Fire sparked. The 2018 blaze left 85 people dead and devastated the town of Paradise.

In Plumas County, another fire -- known as the Fly Fire -- sparked Thursday afternoon. The Fly Fire has burned about 2,800 acres, according to KCRA.

A choppy video showed fire crews narrowly escaping a consuming red-orange blaze while battling the Tamarak Fire, another fire burning well to the southeast of the Dixie Fire in Alpine County, on Thursday. More footage showed a towering inferno "whirl" spinning up beyond green trees. Massive smoke plumes could be seen billowing above the flames.

With more than 36,000 wildfires charring more than 2,722,000 acres so far this year, 2021 is outpacing the record-setting 2020 for the year-to-date, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Last year was also a record year for engine mobilizations, according to the NIFC.

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