Dramatic photos capture California’s record-breaking fires

What’s become the 15th-largest fire in California history has doubled in size in less than a week, destroying homes in its wake.

The massive Dixie fire burning in Butte County, north of Sacramento, had ballooned to nearly 200,000 acres Monday morning, according to an incident report. It is 22% contained.

The fire achieved “megafire” status when it surpassed 100,000 acres Thursday, spurred on by scorching temperatures and drought conditions that fire officials said have led to the blaze’s explosive growth since it began July 13.

Crews set a ground fire to stop a wildfire from spreading while battling the Dixie fire in Lassen National Forest in California on July 26.

(Noah Berger / Associated Press)

The Dixie fire burns in Lassen National Forest near Jonesville, Calif., on July 26.

(Noah Berger / Associated Press)

Smoke from the Dixie fire rises over trees in Lassen National Forest in California.

(Noah Berger / Associated Press)

Flames from the Dixie fire consume a home in the Indian Falls community of Plumas County, Calif.

(Noah Berger / Associated Press)

A vehicle goes up in flames as the Dixie fire tears through the Indian Falls community in Plumas County, Calif., on Saturday.

(Noah Berger / Associated Press)

Firefighters work to save a home as the Dixie fire tears through the Indian Falls community in Plumas County, Calif.

(Noah Berger / Associated Press)

Firefighter Jesse Forbes rubs his head while battling the Dixie fire near Prattville in Plumas County, Calif.

(Noah Berger / Associated Press)

William Deal wets down his 1977 Trans Am as the Dixie fire approaches Crescent Mills in Plumas County, Calif.

(Noah Berger / Associated Press)

Firefighters spray water from Union Pacific Railroad’s fire train while battling the Dixie fire in Plumas National Forest.

(Noah Berger / Associated Press)

Jessica and Benjamin Bell watch as the Dixie fire burns along Highway 70 in Plumas National Forest.

(Noah Berger / Associated Press)

A truck and home burn as the Dixie fire tears through the Indian Falls neighborhood of unincorporated Plumas County, Calif.

(Josh Edelson /Agence France-Presse )

Resident Pamela Aylen, right, delivers supplies to one of her neighbors as the two prepare to ride out the Dixie fire from their homes in spite of evacuation orders in Twain, Calif.

(Josh Edelson / Agence France-Presse)

Twain General Store manager Pamela Aylen gathers supplies to take back to her home, where she plans to ride out the Dixie fire as it approaches the community of Twain in unincorporated Plumas County.

(Josh Edelson / Agence France-Presse)

Resident Jon Cappleman looks on as he prepares to defend his home during the Dixie fire in Twain, Calif.

(Josh Edelson / Agence France-Presse)

Firefighters battle the Tamarack fire in the community of Markleeville in Alpine County, Calif.

(Noah Berger/Associated Press)

The Tamarack fire burns behind a greenhouse in the community of Markleeville in Alpine County.

(Noah Berger / Associated Press)

The Tamarack fire had burned 50,129 acres by Thursday morning, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

(Ty O’Neil / Getty Images)

The Sugar fire, part of the Beckwourth Complex fire, destroys a home Saturday in Doyle, Calif.

(Noah Berger / Associated Press)

Flames from the Sugar fire consume a home Saturday in Doyle, Calif.

(Noah Berger / Associated Press)

Wildfire experts have said California’s fires are burning faster and arriving earlier this year because heat and drought have dried the landscape and primed vegetation to burn.

The Sugar fire tears through Doyle in Northern California.

(Noah Berger / Associated Press)

A power pole burns in Doyle, Calif.

(Noah Berger / Associated Press)

David Garfield clears a fire break around his home in Doyle, Calif.

(Noah Berger / Associated Press)

Plumes of smoke from the Sugar fire rise above Frenchman Lake in Plumas National Forest, Calif.

(Noah Berger / Associated Press)

Firefighters from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection prepare to battle the Sugar fire in Doyle, Calif.

(Noah Berger / Associated Press)

An animal sprints across a road in Plumas National Forest, Calif.

(Noah Berger / Associated Press)

Firefighters battle the Sugar fire in Plumas National Forest.

(Noah Berger / Associated Press)

Smoke from the Sugar fire envelops trees in Doyle, Calif.

(Noah Berger / Associated Press)

Firefighters arrive at Frenchman Lake to battle the Sugar fire.

(Noah Berger / Associated Press)