Bushfires force evacuation in California
Bushfires force evacuation in California
27 April 2008
published by news.theage.com.au
CA, USA — Authorities were evacuating 100 homes as a 40ha bushfire crept closer to neighbourhoods near Pasadena on a hot, dry day in Southern California, authorities said.
The fire about broke out on Saturday afternoon and earlier forced the evacuation of a scout camp and left hikers temporarily stranded, said Elisa Weaver of the Arcadia Fire Department.
Firefighters had hoped to have the blaze contained, Weaver said, but it was still burning out of control on Sunday.
Fire crews were aided by a dozen engines, three water tankers and three helicopters as they take on the blaze, Weaver said.
Two shelters have been set up in the area for evacuees.
The fire was moving mostly northward, away from homes, but had crept far enough to the south to prompt the mandatory home evacuations.
Flames outlined steep ridges about 2km above Sierra Madre, a San Gabriel Mountains foothill community of about 11,000 popular with artists.
