Tens of thousands evacuated as crews battle California wildfires

A firefighter puts out hotspots while battling the Silverado Fire (AP)

Crews are attempting to beat back two wildfires in Southern California which have kept tens of thousands of people out of their homes as expected high winds threaten to spread the flames.

Fierce winds that drove twin fires through brushy hills near cities in Orange County a day earlier were expected to pick back up, although not to the earlier extremes, according to the US National Weather Service.