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California fire 'out of control' | California fire 'out of control' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A wildfire in the mountains above Los Angeles is threatening 12,000 buildings and continuing to spread, officials in California say. | |
The fire has been fuelled by record temperatures over the past four days. | |
Evacuation orders cover about 10,000 homes and state governor Arnold Schwarzenegger described the fire as "still totally out of control". | |
About 2,000 firefighters are trying to contain the blaze, which has burnt more than 55 sq miles (142 sq km) of forest. | About 2,000 firefighters are trying to contain the blaze, which has burnt more than 55 sq miles (142 sq km) of forest. |
The fires rained ash on cars and homes as far away as central Los Angeles on Sunday. | |
Wildfires were burning out of control in all directions, officials said, but emergency crews were concentrating their efforts on the fast-moving northern edge of the inferno. | |
In pictures: California's wildfires | |
Firefighters were also trying to stop the flames from spreading up Mount Wilson, in the Angeles National Forest north of Los Angeles, where many broadcast and communications antennas and a historic observatory are located. | |
On Sunday the fires were within two miles (3km) of the antennas, fire officials said. | |
Mr Schwarzenegger, who declared a state of emergency last week, urged people to obey evacuation orders, after three people were badly burned. | |
"There were people that did not listen and there were three people that got burned and got critically injured because they did not listen," he said. | "There were people that did not listen and there were three people that got burned and got critically injured because they did not listen," he said. |
Two of those injured had been trying to shelter from the fires in a backyard hot tub. | |
Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore said the pair, in Big Tujunga Canyon, "completely underestimated the fire" and the hot tub provided "no protection whatsoever". | |
'Perfect storm' | 'Perfect storm' |
About 1,000 homes have been evacuated and a handful in Big Tujunga Canyon have been destroyed by the flames. | About 1,000 homes have been evacuated and a handful in Big Tujunga Canyon have been destroyed by the flames. |
Officials said the blaze was only 5% contained, with the area's steep, rugged hills making efforts to fight the fire more difficult. | Officials said the blaze was only 5% contained, with the area's steep, rugged hills making efforts to fight the fire more difficult. |
Mandatory evacuation orders covering about 10,000 homes and 2,500 other buildings are in place. | Mandatory evacuation orders covering about 10,000 homes and 2,500 other buildings are in place. |
Parts of Altadena, Glendale, Pasadena, La Crescenta are also affected. | |
Evacuation centres have been set up at local schools. | Evacuation centres have been set up at local schools. |
With forecasts of continuing hot weather, there has been speculation that it could take firefighters a week to bring the blaze under control, says the BBC's David Willis in Los Angeles. | With forecasts of continuing hot weather, there has been speculation that it could take firefighters a week to bring the blaze under control, says the BBC's David Willis in Los Angeles. |
Wildfires are a feature of the Californian summer, but it is unusual for them to break so close to major population centres. | Wildfires are a feature of the Californian summer, but it is unusual for them to break so close to major population centres. |
A number of other fires are also burning in southern and central California. | A number of other fires are also burning in southern and central California. |
Have you been given an evacuation order? Are you concerned about the spread of the fire? Send us your comments using the form below: | Have you been given an evacuation order? Are you concerned about the spread of the fire? Send us your comments using the form below: |
You can also send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. | You can also send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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