Hundreds evacuated amid wildfires threat

The threat of hot, dry Santa Ana winds forecast this weekend prompted authorities to evacuate hundreds of people today as one of three untamed fires in southern California threatened to block their only way out.

More than 3,500 acres of the San Bernardino National Forest have been scorched since the fire started on Tuesday, said Maria Daniels, a fire information officer for the blaze.

The fire, which was 17% contained on Thursday night, was not an immediate threat to homes in the Lytle Creek area, 55 miles (88 kilometres) east of Los Angeles. But firefighters did not want the area's 1,000-plus residents to get trapped by the approaching flames, said Tricia Abbas, another fire spokeswoman.

“The folks from Lytle Creek will continue to be evacuated from this area until we no longer have a threat of Santa Ana winds,” Abbas said. “And we’re expecting Santa Ana winds at this point through Sunday.”

The Red Cross set up a temporary shelter in Fontana.

The fire, which authorities blamed on arson, was one of several that swept through southern California this week, destroying five homes and tearing through nearly 11,000 acres.