Fast-Growing SoCal Wildfire Forces Hundreds to Evacuate
A wildfire that broke out in the inland mountains of Southern California has expanded exponentially, burning homes, forcing the evacuation of several small mountain communities and leaving three people injured.
About 1,500 people had evacuated as the wildfire of more than 9 square miles raged out of control in the San Jacinto Mountains near Banning, said Lucas Spelman, spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
The wildfire was blocking the highway escape route of some residents, and deputies trying to help them get out were also forced to remain, said State fire spokeswoman Julie Hutchinson.
But authorities say all have since been safely evacuated.
The blaze was zero percent contained early Thursday morning, reports CBS Los Angeles station KCBS-TV.
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