Raging Fire Kills 2 People in Southern California

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Alan Germain puts out hotspots on his neighbor's property destroyed by a wildfire Friday, June 24, 2016, near Lake Isabella, Calif. The wildfire that roared across dry brush and trees in the mountains of central California gave residents little time to flee as flames burned homes to the ground, propane tanks exploded and smoke obscured the path to safety. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Alan Germain puts out hotspots on his neighbor's property destroyed by a wildfire near Lake Isabella, Calif., on June 24, 2016.Jae C. Hong—AP
By Justin Worland

At least two people have died in a wildfire that has consumed 19,000 acres in souther California, local authorities said Friday.

The fast moving fire—located near Lake Isabella in Kern County—has destroyed 100 homes since it began Thursday afternoon, with another 1,500 threatened. A total of 800 emergency responders were on the scene with more en route, according to a state emergency response site. The fire was 0% contained, according the county.

Wildfires have increased in frequency and severity in recent years as a result of climate change, and governments have struggled to fund efforts to fight them. California has been particularly hard hit as a result of its ongoing drought.

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Write to Justin Worland at justin.worland@time.com