Firefighters in central California are struggling to control a massive wildfire that has killed two people and burned at least 100 homes.

The so-called Erskine fire has scorched more than 30,000 acres, making it one of the worst in an already intense fire season in drought-stricken California.

The blaze broke out in the foothills of Kern County.

Morgan Rivers, who lost her childhood home to the flames said: 

"It was my grandparents home, I grew up in that house. And it's not even the things inside of it, it's something you can't replace."

But the worst may be yet to come.

The National Weather Service has issued a "red-flag warning" forecasting high temperatures and gusty winds that could whip up the fire's intensity.

Three firefighters have been injured battling the inferno and hundreds have been forced to flee their homes.