Nearly 35,000 homes are under evacuation orders, impacting approximately more than 82,000 residents, according to the wildfire’s federal InciWeb page. Additionally, a number of road closures are affecting traffic and the ability to travel through the area, including the full closure of a stretch of the 15 Freeway.
Television footage captured a fire tornado, more accurately known as a fire whirl, a phenomenon in which flames and gusts combine to form whirling eddies.
California’s governor, Jerry Brown, declared a state of emergency in San Bernardino County on Tuesday. The Red Cross set up emergency shelters for evacuees, including one for animals.
“There is imminent threat to public safety, rail traffic and structures. Please follow the evacuation instructions, as this is a very quickly growing wildfire,” said the state incident information system. “An estimated 34,500 homes and 82,640 people are being affected by the evacuation warnings.”
The fire blazed out of control despite efforts by 700 firefighters backed by 57 engines and 10 air tankers. They requested reinforcements and braced for a long night ahead.
Flames trapped six firefighters who were defending homes in Swarthout Canyon. They found shelter but two suffered minor injuries, officials said.
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