It then quickly grew and charred nearly 380,000 acres in Fresno and Madera counties.
Fast-moving flames trapped dozens of people in the Sierra National Forest, as rescue choppers flew through thick smoke with night-vision technology to save them.
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Nearly 1,000 structures were either damaged or destroyed by the flames.
After a 10-month investigation, forest officials announced the cause of the fire as "undetermined."
VIDEO: Mountain Strong: Surviving the Creek Fire
Mountain Strong: Surviving the Creek Fire