A powerful storm is pummeling California, bringing heavy rains that could help to counter the high winds fueling a fast-growing wildfire in the Sierra Nevada mountains, but they could also unleash dangerous flooding and landslides further south, where previous fires have stripped vegetation.

There were apocalyptic scenes overnight as the Pack Fire , burning near the popular Mammoth Mountain ski resort in Mono County damaged at least 15 homes.

Mandatory evacuation orders were in effect for at least two communities threatened by the Pack Fire in Mono County, which, according to the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection , was zero percent contained and burning across 3,400 acres on Friday morning.

This image released by the Mammoth Lakes Police Department shows the Pack Fi

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