Wildfire ravages 40 homes in the Southern California desert town of Niland with 130 people left homeless

A wind-driven wildfire has destroyed 40 homes and forced evacuations as it tore through a rural Southern California desert town near the Salton Sea.

The fire erupted Sunday evening in Niland, a small and poor agricultural community about 100 miles (160 kilometers) from San Diego.

Damage was still being assessed but the current estimate was 40 homes destroyed and about 130 people displaced, said Linsey Dale, a spokeswoman for Imperial County.

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Blocks of homes on Third St. lay in ashes the day after high winds stoked a wildfire

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A burnt out Chevrolet truck is among the ashes of somebody's home after the fire ripped through

The American Red Cross Southern California Region said it was working to provide shelter.   

'It's very devastating in that area right now,' Dale said.

Fires have also knocked out power to hundreds of homes in the surrounding areas with residents warned to stay away.

The Imperial County Public Health Department urged people to 'please keep out of the town. Sheriff's is conducting a home to home check.'

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Guadalupe and Daniel Altamirano comfort each other as they survey the ashes of their cousin's home on E. Fourth St. a day after high winds stoked a wildfire, taking out numerous homes

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Several vehicles lost to the fire as residents were told to evacuate immediately on Sunday 

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A child's swing set and a shed are the only structures that remain on one property

With the latest update reading: 'Imperial County Fire reports that the fire is Niland is contained. Crews are monitoring & extinguishing hot spots. 

'A damage assessment team will be in Niland this morning. Waiting for updates from IID regarding how long it will take to get power back on.'

Niland, population about 1,000, is located at the north end of an agricultural region that stretches south to the U.S.-Mexico border.

The fire was pushed by strong winds, forcing evacuation of the entire township.

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Homes have been almost entirely flattened by the fire. It is not yet known how the fire started

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Surrounding areas were also left without power as the fire tore through from Sunday until Monday evening when authorities said it was under control

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Niland, population about 1,000, is located at the north end of an agricultural region that stretches south to the U.S.-Mexico border

Every local fire truck and firefighting team responded and firefighting help also came from elsewhere.

The fire is the latest blow to California's Imperial County, which has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

More than 500 patients have been moved to hospitals in other counties over the past five weeks to relieve strain on the county's healthcare system.

It is not yet clear how the fire began. 

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The wind-driven wildfire has destroyed about 40 homes and forced evacuations

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A wildfire burning through an section of Niland, California on Sunday night

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 The fire is the latest blow to California's Imperial County, which has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic