<p>More than 1,700 firefighters are battling a massive wildfire in Northern California.</p><p>The so-called Carr Fire exploded overnight, with officials reporting early Friday that the blaze had now burned&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents/incidentdetails/Index/2164" target="_blank">more than 44,000</a>&nbsp;acres. As of that point, firefighters only had the fire 3 percent contained.</p><p>A Cal Fire spokesman&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/carr-fire-raging-wildfire-northern-california-turns-deadly-reaches-redding-forces-mass-evacuations/" target="_blank">told reporters</a>&nbsp;that the fire is &quot;nonstop&quot; and that it&#39;s &quot;taking down everything in its path.&quot;</p><p>The fast-moving pace of the blaze is forcing some residents to flee their homes on short notice. A fire official said crews in Redding were concentrating their efforts on evacuating residents rather than fighting the fire.&nbsp;</p><p>As of Friday morning, the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-carr-fire-20180726-story.html" target="_blank">fire had killed</a>&nbsp;at least two people and destroyed more than 60 buildings.</p><p>Cal Fire has blamed the mechanical failure of a vehicle for starting the blaze.</p><p>Additional reporting from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/" target="_blank">Newsy affiliate CNN</a>.</p><hr><b>Trending stories at <a href="http://www.newsy.com">Newsy.com</a></b><ul class="inline-related-links"><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/stories/senate-passes-bill-to-cut-tariffs-on-chinese-goods/">Senate Passes Bill To Cut Tariffs On Some Foreign Products</a></li><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/stories/north-korea-expected-to-return-us-veterans-remains-friday/">North Korea Returns Possible Remains Of 55 US Service Members</a></li><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/stories/plastic-straws-are-vital-for-some-people-with-disabilities/">Why Plastic Straw Bans Aren&#039;t Inclusive</a></li></ul>