Hundreds flee, homes burn in California fire

BANNING, California: About 1,500 people have fled and three are injured as a wildfire in the Southern California mountains quickly spreads. Several small communities have evacuated.
The destructive wildfire burning in Southern California's San Jacinto Mountains has grown to more than 15 square miles. The wildfire grew to 10,000 acres (4,045 hectares) early Thursday. It raged out of control in the San Jacinto Mountains, said Lucas Spelman, spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Two firefighters and a burned civilian were the ones injured, state fire officials said. They would give no further details on the injuries.
Fire officials said 15 structures were burned but could not say how many were homes. Footage from TV news helicopters and photos from the scene showed several houses in flames.
More than 500 firefighters, helped by five helicopters and five air tankers, were working to protect homes and get ahead of the flames.
Fire officials estimate that the fire 90 miles east of Los Angeles grew from 6,000 acres late Wednesday to 10,000 acres early Thursday.
Fire officials also report that there's still zero percent containment and all evacuation orders for small communities in the area remain in effect.
Some 1,500 people are believed to have been forced out by the flames. Two firefighters and a civilian have been injured.