'Everything is gone': Dozens of Lake County homes lost in Boyles Fire

CLEARLAKE, Calif. (KGO) -- Evacuations remain in place in Clearlake, as firefighters work to control the Boyles Fire.

It's burned 30 buildings and nearly 50 vehicles across the southern end of town since it started Sunday afternoon.

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At one point, crews faced spot fires on nearly every block as they helped neighbors race to evacuate.

Forward progress has been stopped, but embers from smoldering buildings are still a concern. The damage costs are also rising.

"It was a life changing moment, my home just fell apart in an hour," said Esperanza Juaregui.

Juaregui is thankful her family is safe, after the Boyles Fire roared through their Clearlake neighborhood Sunday afternoon. The family was headed home from church when they spotted the flames shooting hundreds of feet in the air.

"But the fire was too close, so I was like panicking," said Juaregui.

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Around 4,000 residents were told to leave their homes as the fire grew larger. Too dangerous for the Juareguis to return home and hours later they learned it was gone.

"For the past 25 years, my parents have lived there, lost everything, they left with clothes on their back, everything else is gone," said Gabriella Juaregui.

The family shared a photo of their home before the fire.

"The loss of property is substantial especially for a 76-acre fire," said Fire Marshal Autumn Lancaster, Lake County Fire Protection District.

The fire started near 18th Avenue and raced up a hillside, carried by strong winds into the neighborhood.

"I tried to stay and fight it with hoses, it was too much had to leave. we came back, all burned to ground, so sad," said one homeowner who asked to remain anonymous.

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Building inspectors are going door to door, assessing damage and red-tagging homes.

"It's dramatic in a small area, it's heartbreaking because some of these folks are limited income and elderly, it's going to be tough again," said Clearlake chief building inspector, Mary Jane Montana.

Investigators are now looking for a cause to the fire but say the danger is not over.

"There's going to be low RH (relative humidity), and winds - a potential for areas not mopped up to flair again, we coin that as the witching hour," said Lancaster.

"We're just figuring out insurance," said Gabriella Jauregui.

The Jauregui's are now trying to move forward but remembering the home they loved.

"I grew up in the home, I don't know another other home but that one."