A county sheriff reported that two people perished and more than 130 structures were burned in a fire that ravaged a tiny hamlet in northern California.

On Sunday afternoon, Siskiyou County Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue relayed the news to the inhabitants of Weed during a community meeting.

Before calling for a moment of quiet, he remarked, "There's no easy way of putting it,"

He did not disclose any information about the deceased, including their names, ages, or genders.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reports that firefighters are attempting to confine the Mill Fire, which has burned around 17 square kilometers since the beginning of the weekend.

'Eerily silent' Scene

Susan Tavalero, a city council member, stated that power shortages and smoke sky created a desolate atmosphere in the city.

She said, "It's eerily quiet,"

Sheriff LaRue noted that it was unsure when residents would be permitted to return to their houses and when power would be restored, as approximately 1,000 people were still under evacuation orders.

According to fire officials, it is unclear whether the 132 buildings destroyed in Weed were residences, businesses, or other structures.

In the vicinity, personnel fought the Mountain Fire, which began on Friday, and more than 300 residents were ordered to evacuate.

The majority of California is experiencing a severe heat wave, and homeowners are asked to conserve energy by avoiding the use of major appliances and keeping air conditioning at 25.5 degrees Celsius.

The California Independent System Operator, which manages the state's electric system, has extended a "flex alert" for a fifth day due to the strain on the grid caused by downed lines and generators.

Temperatures in the Central Valley are predicted to reach 46 degrees Celsius for several days, while temperatures in Los Angeles have reached 38 degrees Celsius, which is exceptionally warm for September.

Another summer of fires

The weekend's fires are the most recent series throughout the summer, including the McKinney Fire, which burnt more than 580 square kilometers in the Klamath National Forest last month.

Fewer than 3,000 people reside in Weed, which is no stranger to wildfires.

Dominique Mathes, a resident, stated that he had had close calls with wildfires but would not evacuate.

He stated, "It's a beautiful place,"

"Everyone faces risks everywhere, such as Florida's storms and floods, Louisiana's tornadoes, and so on.

Therefore, it occurs everywhere. Unfortunately, there are fires here."

Small flames are fanned into a frenzy by the winds, making Weed and the surrounding area vulnerable to wildfires.

Since 2014, there have been three significant fires in Weed, a period of intense drought that has caused the worst and most devastating wildfire in California's history.

According to scientists, climate change has caused the West to get warmer and drier over the past three decades and will continue to make the weather more intense and wildfires more catastrophic.