Hidden Valley Lake hit hard by Valley Fire burning in Lake, Napa counties

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. (KGO) -- The small town of Hidden Valley Lake was devastated by the Valley Fire that started burning in Lake County on Saturday. The fire has exploded to 50,000 acres, destroyed several hundred up to 1,000 homes, and has prompted the evacuation of 17,000 people.

RESOURCES: Valley Fire evacuation centers, school closure information

Many Hidden Valley Lake residents have been left wondering if their homes are still standing. Unfortunately, officials tell ABC7 News that the area is still an active fire zone. A lot of the evacuated areas remain evacuated so the crews can continue with battling the fire.

DONATIONS: How to help victims of the Valley Fire

"It was chaos," said Hidden Valley Lake resident Lerroy Bowser. "It happened that fast it was instantaneous. People were trying to get out and they were making four lane to we were able to save some surrounding homes as well as our own."

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PHOTOS: Fire crews battle 10,000 acre Valley Fire in Lake County