MIDDLETOWN, Calif. — Some 400 homes were among the hundreds of structures destroyed as fast-moving wildfires raged through communities in northern California, leaving at least one person dead and sending residents fleeing along roads where some buildings and vehicles were still in flames.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection confirmed Sunday one fatality in the wildfire north of San Francisco that raced through dry brush and exploded in size within hours. In addition to the homes, officials also counted two apartment complexes and 10 businesses destroyed by the flames, department spokeswoman Lynn Valentine said.

Valentine couldn’t provide details on the circumstances of the death. A call to the Lake County Sheriff’s office wasn’t immediately returned.

In addition, up to 1,000 structures such as barns, sheds and other outbuildings were burned, said Cal Fire spokesman Daniel Berlant.

The devastation comes after a separate wildfire to the southeast destroyed at least 81 homes.