Remains discovered in area by deadly 36,000-acre Erskine Fire in Kern County

FRESNO, Calif. -- Possible human remains were found in a neighborhood that was ravished by the massive Erskine Fire near Lake Isabella in Kern County.

Local sheriff's officials called in homicide investigators and treated it as a crime at this point.

At least two people have died in the blaze. Three firefighters who suffered smoke inhalation have been released from the hospital.

The fire is threatening more than 1,500 structures and has already destroyed 150 homes.

The destructive power of the Erskine Fire in Kern County is captured in this image by photojournalist Michael Cuffe.

Michael Cuffe/@mikecuffe

More than 1,100 firefighters are on scene trying to contain it. So far, it has burned more than 36,000 acres and is at 10 percent containment.

"We have a monster out there that might not be as bad as it was two days ago, but the potential is there," said Mark Savage, County Fire Captain.

There's no word on what sparked the fire, but crews said the ongoing drought has played a major role in fueling it.

The fire is expected to be contained by June 30.