The McKinney Fire in Northern California has become the state's largest fire in 3 days

California Fire

California Fire says a wildfire in Northern California expanded over the weekend, causing evacuations and becoming the state's largest wildfire this year.

The McKinney Fire

The McKinney Fire broke out Friday afternoon in the Klamath National Forest on the California-Oregon border, consuming more than 52,000 acres and causing over 2,000 households to evacuate Saturday.

Heavy smoke slowed the fire's progress Sunday, but grounded firefighting aircraft, the US Forest Service reported. The blaze was 0% contained as the weekend closed, and firefighters face a protracted battle as lightning and thunderstorms hindered efforts and flames rushed through dry vegetation.

Related: McKinney Fire: Two Dead, Explodes More Than 52,000 Acres In California

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Oregon state Rep. Dacia Graybar and her firefighter husband

Oregon state Rep. Dacia Graybar and her firefighter husband were camping near California when they woke up to orange skies, hot wind gusts, lightning, and blowing ash. They evacuated the campground anticipating one may be deployed if the fire escalates.

Graybar's tweet

"In 22+ years of fire, I've never seen such night-time behavior. Graybar tweeted, "It seemed strange and apocalyptic."

Dry lightning, strong winds, high temperatures, and low humidity posed a fire hazard through Sunday night. "Abundant lightning" and isolated thunderstorms are forecast through Monday, which might spread the flames.

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Irregular and fierce winds

Winds can be irregular and fierce, causing fire to spread in any direction, forest service officials said.

Dry thunderstorms occur when rainfall evaporates before touching the ground, leaving only lightning strikes to cause new fires and fuel existing ones.

The McKinney Fire has grown to 52,498 acres, Cal Fire Capt. Chris Bruno told CNN. It's hardly the only hazard firefighters face. Sunday afternoon, officials reported 10 wildfires in Klamath National Forest.

Fires created pyrocumulus clouds by forcing air to rise with their intense heat.

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Tor Mason

Tor Mason was evacuated from the McKinney Fire. He and his friends fled their homes and went to the Klamath River Community Center, but the fire was closing in.

"The community center was on fire when I arrived." Mason: "Holy crap, this is bad." I stepped on the gas and boogied. I heard it exploded this morning."According to the forest service, California's persistent drought has led to rapid forest fire spread due to dry, receptive fuels.

Extreme fire

Extreme fire activity has flames racing uphill through dry brush, grass, and timber, according to officials.

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Tom Stokesberry

“Klamath National Forest is a large, beautiful forest with steep terrain. This, along with high temperatures and little humidity, creates an elevated fire hazard environment, according to US Forest Service official Tom Stokesberry.

648 firemen are fighting the fire from the ground and air and protecting evacuated homes.

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Gov. Gavin Newsom

Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for Siskiyou County on Saturday, saying the fire destroyed houses and threatened infrastructure. Cal Fire stated no information was available on damaged structures, although Stokesberry told KTVL there were unsubstantiated claims.

60 hikers were evacuated

About 60 hikers were evacuated off the Pacific Crest Trail on Saturday as the McKinney Fire approached, the Jackson County Sheriff's Office in Oregon said on Facebook.

Shackelford’s prediction

Shackelford predicts conditions will improve Monday as isolated dry thunderstorms move north. Up to 2 inches of rain could help combat the McKinney Fire.