The Soberanes Fire claims a life as it grows and threatens more homes.

As crews progressed in containing the Soberanes Fire on Tuesday night, a bulldozer operator who was called to help battle the fire was killed overnight, Cal Fire officials confirmed. 

Fire activity increased overnight and continues to be a threat to numerous communities. As of Wednesday morning, burning terrain grew to 23,568 acres and the destructive fireball was at 10-percent containment. There are more than 3,000 firefighters working the blaze, which it is estimated will be put out early August.

In the meantime, Acting Governor Tom Torlakson has issued a state of emergency for Monterey County. All trails and roads in the Los Padres National Forest in the Monterey District have also been closed and anyone who is caught there could face a $5,000 fine or up to six months in jail, Cal Fire says.

As the fire continues, at least 20 homes and two outbuildings have been destroyed. As it creeps closer to residential areas and forces more people to evacuate their neighborhoods, officials estimate more than 2,000 homes are currently threatened by flames.

Below is the most current list of the communities placed under mandatory evacuation:

• Palo Colorado, Old Coast Road, Rocky Creek Road, Bixby Creek Road from Hwy 1 south to Mesa Road, Corona Road east of Highway 1, Riley Ranch Road east of Highway 1 and Rancho San Carlos Road from Canter Run to Garza Trail.

Dark plumes of smoke have traveled to the Monterey Peninsula, prompting the Monterey Bay Air Resources District to list the air quality in the areas as "unhealthy."

This story will continue to be updated throughout the day. For full coverage of the fire check out the Weekly's Soberanes Fire incident page.