Rapidly spreading wildfire consumes residences in Southern California
A rapidly spreading brush fire has devastated homes in Southern California. The blaze has prompted urgent evacuations as firefighters work to contain the flames. With strong winds and dry conditions contributing to the fire's intensity, officials are on high alert, monitoring the situation closely. Residents are being advised to stay informed and follow evacuation orders as the situation develops.
![Rapidly spreading wildfire consumes residences in Southern California](https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-08-07/Fast-moving-brush-fire-burns-homes-in-Southern-California-1vROk4FAd4A/img/124089a6ed2b49b587f0f21c456d1b1d/124089a6ed2b49b587f0f21c456d1b1d-750.png?#)
Known as the Edgehill Fire, the blaze ignited around 2:30 p.m. on Monday in the 3300 block of Beverly Drive in San Bernardino County, according to the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District.
Evacuation orders were put in place for residents in surrounding neighborhoods as the fire quickly escalated due to elevated temperatures and dry conditions.
As of Tuesday morning, the fire had reached 54 acres (approximately 0.22 square kilometers), with the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District providing an update on social media platform X, stating, "Firefighters took advantage of overnight lower temperatures and were able to increase containment to 75 percent."
Damage assessment teams have started evaluating the community to assess the extent and number of structures affected, officials indicated.
"Smoke will be visible, especially as we move into the afternoon hours," they noted in the update.
Local news outlet The San Bernardino Sun reported that the fire damaged at least four homes and destroyed a minimum of two others, based on official sources.
According to the San Bernardino Police Department's post on X, "One firefighter received minor injuries, and no civilians were injured," and further information mentioned that fire personnel and law enforcement would remain present in the impacted area on Tuesday as high temperatures persist under an excessive heat warning.
(Cover: A firefighter hoses down the ground in front of a fully engulfed home to keep the Edgehill Fire from spreading to another residence in San Bernardino, California, U.S., August 5, 2024. /CFP)
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News