DUNNIGAN — A wildfire broke out in Dunnigan, California, on Monday, leading to mandatory evacuations and the closure of a section of Interstate 5. The fire damaged multiple structures, including the destruction of at least one home.

Mandatory evacuations were ordered for areas around Road 88A and Road 88B, near County Road 4. Southbound Interstate 5 was closed for several hours due to the wildfire.

Prior to the arrival of firefighters, Javier Hernandez and his nephew used a garden hose to protect nearby homes. Hernandez stated that he and his nephew are not trained firefighters. "It got a little hot around here," Hernandez said. "Luckily the firefighters got here and came in pretty clutch."

Neighbors indicated that strong winds contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. One neighbor warned the homeowner of a house that was later destroyed to evacuate before flames reached the structure. "I saw him coming out of his house. The fire hadn't got to his house. I said, please evacuate, evacuate... And when he saw me just now... he says, you told me to evacuate. And I'm glad I did. They got out," the neighbor stated.

The neighbor described the fire's progression, saying, "It moved rapidly. Yes. I've never seen anything like it before in my life. I mean, I've been, I was scared, scared. I mean, you know, really scared. Yeah. It bothered me that much." Eucalyptus trees acted as a fuel source for the wildfire, and embers from these burning trees ignited additional fires, which did not cause further damage. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.