Thousands flee Los Angeles wildfire

A fast-moving California wildfire, started accidentally by three campers, roared out of control in the foothills above Los Angeles on Thursday, destroying five homes and forcing some 3,600 residents to evacuate, fire and law enforcement officials said.

The wind-whipped blaze began before dawn in the Angeles National Forest north of Glendora, about 60 km east of downtown Los Angeles in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains.

By mid-morning, the so-called Colby Fire had blackened more than 690 hectares of drought-parched brush and vegetation, Los Angeles County fire officials said. A thick pall of black smoke hung over eastern Los Angeles County, stretching west over the Pacific Ocean.

But as winds diminished and temperatures cooled later in the day some 700 firefighters, aided by eight fixed-wing aircraft and seven helicopters, were able to keep the flames from advancing any farther.

As darkness fell over Southern California, authorities said the blaze was 30 percent contained and many of the evacuees were allowed to return home.

Three men who were spotted leaving the area where the blaze began were taken into custody, Glendora Police Chief Tim Staab said. Each was arrested on suspicion of recklessly starting a fire and was being held on $20,000 bail, he said.

"Reportedly they set a campfire and were tossing papers into the campfire and a breeze kicked up and set the fire," Staab said. "They are being cooperative. I'm told one has made an admission to our detectives and has admitted setting this fire."

The suspects were identified as Clifford Eugene Henry Jr. 22, of Glendora; Jonathan Carl Jarrell, 23, of Irwindale; and Steven Robert Aguirre, 21, of Los Angeles. Staab said Aguirre was homeless but the men were not living at the campsite.

Historic mansion saved

The flames prompted residents in parts of Glendora and neighboring Azusa to leave their homes on the order of authorities. Temporary shelters were set up at an American Legion hall, a community center and a high school.

The fire burned five homes to the ground and damaged 17 other structures, Los Angeles County Fire Chief John Tripp said at a late afternoon press conference. Three people, two of them firefighters, suffered minor injuries.

About 3,600 people had been forced from their homes, with about 1,600 allowed to return, the US Forest Service said. Some 3,000 homes had been evacuated.

Los Angeles County Fire Department Inspector Tony Akins said that between 1,700 and 2,000 residents remained away from home as of late Thursday evening.

"We have reached the summit of evacuations and the numbers are slowly decreasing," with some Glendora residents being allowed to return, Akins said.

The hot, dry Santa Ana winds would likely peak between 2 am and 10 am on Friday morning, making work harder for firefighters toiling overnight and raising concerns the fire would burn farther into the national forest, Akins said.

Authorities said crews fought to save the Singer Mansion, a local landmark designed in the 1920s by architect Wallace Neff, but that a guest home and garage on the property were damaged.

Several elementary and middle schools and at least one high school were shut for the day, along with Citrus College, located about 3 km from the fire lines, and Glendora city manager Chris Jeffers said the city had declared a state of emergency to free up resources.

The South Coast Air Quality Management district issued a smoke advisory for Los Angeles County and nearby communities, urging people in affected areas to remain indoors with doors and windows closed.

As the day wore on, the Santa Ana winds that had whipped the flames died down, giving firefighters a chance to gain control over the blaze, officials said.

"Early this morning, when it broke out, it burned really rapidly, and it does appear like it's laying down right now," Los Angeles County Fire Department spokesman Keith Mora said. "We're just trying to gain control prior to the heat-up in the afternoon."

Reuters