At least eight people have been reported missing as a raging wildfire continues to burn through northern California, destroying hundreds of buildings and incinerating entire communities as fire crews seek to contain the blaze.

“As of 08/06/2021 at 8:00 PM, we have received reports of eight unaccounted-for individuals. We are seeking the public and the media’s assistance in helping us locate the individuals so we can report back to their loved ones,” The Plumas County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

“Our Investigation’s Unit has already been successful in safely locating 16 additional individuals throughout today,” the statement added.

The Dixie Fire, which was named after the road where it started, began in the Feather River Canyon near Cresta Dam on July 13, 2021, and had burned 446,723 acres (180,782 ha) by August 7, with 21 percent containment.

Since then, it has burned primarily north through the Lake Almanor area into Lassen Volcanic National Park and east towards Indian Valley and the outskirts of Quincy. The fire has damaged or destroyed several small towns, including Greenville on August 4 and Canyondam on August 5.

By July 23, it had become the largest wildfire of the 2021 California fire season, and by August 6, the largest single-source wildfire (not part of a larger complex) in the state's history.