MUST SEE: National Guard Pilots Make Daring Rescues During California Wildfires

California is in for a troubling fall fire season, with a vast swath of the state already up in flames weeks ahead of when the peak of trouble usually arrives.

The Golden State passed a troubling and worrisome milestone early this week with a new-record amount of acreage currently burning, much of it out of control.  The fires were so intense and widespread that the National Guard was forced to airlift citizens out of harm’s way after their evacuation routes were impacted by the deadly blaze.

California National Guard helicopter crews frantically airlifted more than 200 people as a wall of flames from the fast-moving Creek Fire burning in the Sierra bore down on them.

The California Office of Emergency Services said Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters were used for the rescues that began late Saturday and continued through the overnight hours. At least two people were severely injured and 10 more suffered moderate injuries.

Photos from the rescue efforts were simply stunning.

Simply extraordinary, lifesaving work by the @CalGuard airlifting more than 200 people to safety overnight from the imminent danger of the #CreekFire The National Guard stands Always Ready, Always There to support our communities and nation in times of need. pic.twitter.com/MybDKESipJ

— General Daniel Hokanson (@ChiefNGB) September 6, 2020

Photo from the cockpit of a ⁦@CalGuard⁩ Chinook minutes ago rescuing people trapped by the #CreekFire So proud of our National Guard pilots and crews. Thoughts with those affected by this unfolding disaster. pic.twitter.com/GDV9J62MBT

— General Daniel Hokanson (@ChiefNGB) September 6, 2020

My dads photo. He’s stuck on the lake they evacuated to from Wagner Mammoth Pools Resort #CreekFire @abcnews
@ABC7 pic.twitter.com/Gll6huqaPd

— marissa ? (@l0veheals_) September 6, 2020

Those who attempted to flee were forced to literally drive directly through the flames.

A backpacking trip cut short by unforeseen thunder, ash rain, and having to drive through literal fire to evacuate #SierraNationalForest in time. Grateful to the SNF ranger who led us down… wish we we got her name. #CreekFire @mercnews @sfchronicle @ABC7 @KTVU pic.twitter.com/37Ys7XGJ2a

— Juliana Park (@julipdoe) September 6, 2020

One of the most recent fires to spring up in California was allegedly started after a gender reveal party, in which the expecting couple use some sort of fireworks-like explosive to break the news to guests.