Three homes destroyed in grass fire burning near Squaw Valley, Cal Fire working on full containment

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Fresno County Sheriff's Office said one home has been destroyed and mandatory evacuation orders have been issued after a wildfire broke out near Highway 180 and Elwood Road in Squaw Valley.

Evacuations include homes along Silver Ln, Fulgham Ln, Marlar Ln, Lelyer Ln, and Erwin Ln.

The Fresno County Sheriff's Office said the fire has burned about 50 acres and is 40-percent contained. One home has been destroyed and several others have been damaged.

If you are traveling in the area, please watch for firefighters and possible road closures.

Neighbors say the flames ran up one hill after another. There was little they could do, but watch their own homes burn.

For most families waiting to make it past the barricade, it is the unknown making them anxious.

For David Arnwine, the fear lies in what he has already seen.

"I can't cry anymore, I've cried for a couple of hours, I don't think I can cry anymore," said Arnwine

Around 4 p.m. Wednesday, a wildfire started to spread near the community of Squaw Valley. Firefighters did all they could but the winds were punishing.

"I hurried home, saw the flames, got down there and it was all around my house. And I thought oh all the helicopters are here, and then there goes my house, it was gone."

At least three homes were destroyed. Neighbors describing scenes where they had just seconds to run--forced to leave valuables and livestock behind.

"We got out okay, I did lose all my animals they were really special to me," said Arnwine.

As night fell, cooler temperatures helped firefighters stop the forward movement of the flames.

"We still have a lot of embers and smoldering material in and around containment lines but we expect those containments to rise," said Ryan Michaels.

When they do, Arnwine will be back.

"There is a God that's bigger than the fire so I'm putting trust in him that everything will work out," said Arnwine.

He knows nothingness awaits him but it is still his home.