LOS ANGELES - The destruction wrought by a wind-driven wildfire in the mountains northeast of Los Angeles is approaching 156 square miles, burning structures, homes and a nature centre in a famed Southern California wildlife sanctuary in foothill desert communities.

The blaze, known as the Bobcat Fire, is expected to grow through Sunday and Monday as critical fire weather conditions continued due to gusty winds and low humidity.

Across California, authorities say Sunday nearly 19,000 firefighters continue to fight more than two dozen major wildfires.

Officials are also investigating the death of a firefighter on the lines of another Southern California wildfire that erupted earlier this month.