Swift, Vast California Wildfire Chars Homes, Injures 3, Clears Towns

"BANNING, Calif. — 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 Thursday in the San Jacinto Mountains near Banning, said Lucas Spelman, spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Three were injured, including two firefighters taken to hospitals by ambulance and a burned civilian who was airlifted out, state fire officials said. They would give no further details on the injuries."

The Associated Press had the story August 7, 2013.

SEE ALSO:

"Hundreds Evacuated Ahead of Southern California Wildfire" (Reuters)

"Southern California Wildfire Explodes, 3 Injured" (USA TODAY)

CalFire Current Incidents Page
 

Source: AP, 08/08/2013