A wildfire ravaging the hills near Los Angeles had swelled in size by over 1,000 percent by Wednesday, torching dozens of homes and prompting a state of emergency.
The Bridge Fire is one of three out-of-control blazes that have erupted around the United States’ second-biggest city, fueled by a punishing heat wave and fanned by gusting winds.
Authorities issued widespread evacuation orders as the fire tore through the towns of Wrightwood and Mt Baldy, destroying at least 33 homes, several cabins, and racing through a ski resort.
The fire broke out early Sunday afternoon in Angeles National Forest north of Los Angeles, and initially remained fairly small.
But by Wednesday afternoon it had roared to 49,000 acres (20,000 hectares), fueled by thick brush that carried the flames into the San Bernardino County community of Wrightwood and the Mountain High ski resort.
Three trapped
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said three people — including one of his deputies — were trapped by the fire in a remote area near Mt. Baldy.
He said thick smoke and blocked roads were hampering the rescue effort.
Cal Fire, the statewide fire agency, said seven people had been hurt in the blaze, which has now charred more than 22,000 acres (8,900 hectares).
The blaze erupted on Monday and began racing up canyons and hillsides, including Santiago Peak, which is home to radio and television broadcast towers, though the fire appeared to have left them undamaged.
The flames were also hurtling downslope toward Lake Elsinore, with video from the area showing some structures and vehicles consumed by fire.
Northeast of Los Angeles, the Line Fire has now burned nearly 35,000 acres.
A number of mountain communities were ordered to evacuate, in an area popular with tourists, and several major access roads were blocked.
‘Herculean effort’
Police in San Bernardino County have arrested a man in connection with the fire.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has declared a state of emergency in response to the fires, visited the command post at the Line Fire on Wednesday.
More than 5,700 emergency personnel are responding to the three fires, his office said, along with dozens of aircraft and over 500 fire engines.
A persistent heat wave that has gripped much of southern California for a week was easing Wednesday, and officials were hopeful that lower temperatures might make the battle against the fires easier.
With AFP
