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| Firemen die in California inferno | Firemen die in California inferno |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Two firefighters have died in California as they battled intense wildfires to the north of Los Angeles. | Two firefighters have died in California as they battled intense wildfires to the north of Los Angeles. |
| The fires, fuelled by record temperatures, are now threatening over 12,000 buildings, officials say. | The fires, fuelled by record temperatures, are now threatening over 12,000 buildings, officials say. |
| Residents of 10,000 homes have been told to evacuate. State Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger described the blazes as "still totally out of control". | Residents of 10,000 homes have been told to evacuate. State Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger described the blazes as "still totally out of control". |
| About 2,000 firefighters are trying to contain the fires, which have burnt over 66 sq miles (170 sq km) of forest. | About 2,000 firefighters are trying to contain the fires, which have burnt over 66 sq miles (170 sq km) of forest. |
| County Deputy Fire Chief Mike Bryant said the two firefighters died when their vehicle rolled off a hillside near Mount Gleason in the Angeles National Forest on Sunday. | County Deputy Fire Chief Mike Bryant said the two firefighters died when their vehicle rolled off a hillside near Mount Gleason in the Angeles National Forest on Sunday. |
| 'Did not listen' | 'Did not listen' |
| On Sunday, the wildfires rained ash on cars and homes as far away as central Los Angeles. | On Sunday, the wildfires rained ash on cars and homes as far away as central Los Angeles. |
| In pictures: California's wildfires | In pictures: California's wildfires |
| The fires were burning out of control in all directions, state officials said, but emergency crews were concentrating their efforts on the fast-moving northern edge of the inferno. | The fires were burning out of control in all directions, state officials said, but emergency crews were concentrating their efforts on the fast-moving northern edge of the inferno. |
| Firefighters were also trying to stop the flames from spreading up Mount Wilson, in the Angeles National Forest near the city of Pasadena, where many broadcast and communications antennas and a historic solar observatory are located. | Firefighters were also trying to stop the flames from spreading up Mount Wilson, in the Angeles National Forest near the city of Pasadena, where many broadcast and communications antennas and a historic solar observatory are located. |
| On Sunday the fires were within two miles (3km) of the antennas, fire officials said. | 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. | 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. | 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". | 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' |
| Officials say the blaze is only 5% contained, with the area's steep, rugged hills making efforts to fight it more difficult. | Officials say the blaze is only 5% contained, with the area's steep, rugged hills making efforts to fight it 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. | 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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