Hundreds evacuated as bush fire nears homes in US

A fast-moving brush fire scorched more than 2,000 acres of parched California hillside and charred at least three houses, forcing authorities to evacuate more than 500 homes.

The three-square-mile fire threatened many other houses and the firefighters working to protect them, Anaheim city spokesman John Nicoletti said.

“This is a very dangerous firefight,” said Orange County Fire Authority Chief Ed Fleming. “The terrain is quite rugged, with homes on top of ridges, and the fire picks up speed as it heads up the hill.”

Two firefighters suffered minor injuries, authorities said.

The fire, stoked by hot dry winds and fuelled by chaparral, spread south and west quickly in an unincorporated part of Orange County and threatened multimillion-dollar homes there and in Anaheim Hills, about 35 miles south east of Los Angeles. Authorities said the blaze may have been started by a vehicle fire and were investigating if the car was stolen and set on fire to destroy evidence.

Capt Steve Miller of the Orange County Fire Authority said afternoon winds blowing up to 35mph made it difficult for the more than 800 firefighters on the scene. Temperatures were in the 90s Fahrenheit (above 32 Celsius) and humidity was at 5%. But slowing winds later in the day allowed firefighters to get 10% of the blaze contained early today, authorities said.

Firefighters were aided by helicopters and planes dropping water and retardant on the flames, and police went door to door to warn residents to evacuate.

The area, like much of Southern California, is under a red flag alert, indicating a high fire danger. A prolonged drought has left the chaparral-covered hills highly combustible.

Fleeing fires has become a part of life for many residents.

Susan Snell, who has lived in Anaheim Hills for 23 years, followed a well-worn routine – she put her cat in a carrier, packed tax and insurance papers and photographs and found a good vantage point.

“It’s freaky what you end up taking with you,” she said as she watched television at the Anaheim Hills Community Centre for updates.