McKinney Fire: 2 Found Dead In Vehicle As Blaze Burns Out Of Control

YREKA, CA — Two bodies were found inside a burned vehicle as crews battle California's largest wildfire this year in the Klamath National Forest.

The McKinney Fire, which sparked Friday, has swelled to more than 82 square miles near the Oregon border. The blaze burned uncontrollably Monday morning near Highway 96 and McKinney Creed Rd, southwest of Klamath River, and was zero percent contained, Cal Fire said.

Highway 96 remains closed as the blaze spreads in a largely unpopulated area of Siskiyou County, according to a Cal Fire incident report. The cause was under investigation.

Trees were charred along Highway 96 and the remains of a pickup truck sat in a lane of the highway, The Associated Press reported. Thick smoke blanketed the area, and flames burned through hillsides in sight of homes. The fire cast an eerie, orange-brown hue in one neighborhood Sunday, where a brick chimney stood surrounded by rubble and scorched vehicles.

The Siskiyou County Sheriff's office tweeted Monday two people were found dead inside a vehicle in a driveway Sunday along Doggett Creek Road. Their names weren't immediately released.

And on Monday morning, two other people were arrested within the McKinney Fire evacuation zone and booked into the Siskiyou County Jail. One suspect was booked on a charge of having burglary tools, and the other was booked on a charge of burglary within an evacuation zone.

Some residents chose to stay home, while others heeded orders to leave, AP reported. Several people in the sheriff's office were affected by evacuation orders, and continued to show up to work. Flames burned the childhood home of one deputy Friday. A spokesperson with the sheriff's office told AP they have a "very dedicated crew."

Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency Saturday as the McKinney Fire grew. The declaration gives the governor flexibility to make emergency response and recovery effort decisions and access federal aid.

Below are nine photos of the devastation left by the McKinney Fire.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.