FIRE officials say more than 82,000 people have been told to evacuate from mountain communities threatened by a powerful wildfire in Southern California.
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The fire destroyed 175 homes, Main Street businesses and other structures in the working-class town of Lower Lake.
“The smoke is on the desert floor”, said Eric Sherwin of the San Bernardino County Fire Department.
The Southern California wildfire that began as a small midmorning patch of flame next to Interstate 15 in the Cajon Pass had by Tuesday’s end turned into a 28-square-mile monster that had burned an untold number of homes.
In addition to Wrightwood, mandatory evacuations have been ordered for Baldy Mesa, Lytle Creek, Wrightwood, Old Cajon Road, Lone Pine Canyon, West Cajon Valley and Swarthout Canyon, fire officials said.
It was among several large fires burning up and down California, from Shasta County in the far north to Camp Pendleton Marine base in San Diego County.
Forecasters earlier in the day warned of “Red Flag” fire danger in the area that could lead to extreme fire behavior. The area is about 70 miles east of Los Angeles.
“The fire, which is not under control, advance very quickly, it is very unsafe both for people but also for firemen”, said she warned, told AFP.
BNSF Railway Co. has shut down train operations through the Cajon Pass in both directions, said spokeswoman Lena Kent.
The Clayton fire, as it is called, has burned more than 1,618ha and is being fought by around 1,700 fire personnel who have brought 35% of the blaze under control, according to Cal Fire.
Traffic was backed up for 20 miles on Interstate 15, with some families stuck in cars for up to seven hours.
Firefighters will patrol for any remaining hotspots for a few more days.
The cause remains under investigation.
CALIFORNIA has declared a state of emergency as fires spread throughout the state.
And in the scenic coastal area of Big Sur, the Soberanes fire had scorched more than 30,756ha and was 60% contained.
Fire crews gained some significant ground on a massive Northern California wildfire that has destroyed 175 homes, businesses and other structures and charred almost 7 square miles.
(AP Photo/Josh Edelson). Andrea McMullen cries as it is announced that Damin Pashilk was arrested on arson charges for allegedly sparking a wildfire that exploded over the weekend in a Northern California town, in Middletown, Calif., on Monday, Aug. 15.
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Roughly 1,600 firefighters were making progress on the blaze as it burned through wilderness.
