Southern California Wildfire: 300 Homes Under Threat, Thousands Evacuated As Huge Wildfire Looms Large

In more bad news for people in Southern California already affected by the drought, thousands of people have been evacuated after a wildfire broke out in the region on Saturday. According to CNN, an out-of-control wildfire that broke out in a forested region near a Southern California Dam is spreading fast and is threatening several communities residing in the area. According to officials, 300 homes that are in direct threat of being destroyed by the wildfire have been evacuated.

According to the Seattle Pi, the wildfire was first reported after 6 p.m. on Saturday near the Prado Dam Flood Control Basin in Southern California. By Sunday morning, the wildfire gained in strength and had spread over a 300-acre area.

According to Capt. Mike Mohler of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the wildfire has taken place in an area that hasn’t been known to be affected by wildfires over the past several years. The region is also isolated owing to which firefighters had a difficult task reaching the spot.

“The fire is fueled by thick brush in a riverbed that hasn’t burnt in years,” he said. “The fire is creating its own weather, so firefighters are having difficulty getting in there.”

Captain Mohler added that the wildfire has reached half a mile north of a residential area that lies along the northern border of the cities of Norco and Corona. Most of the 300 mandatory evacuations in the area have been ordered in these towns, he added.

“The fire is heading toward a populated area,” Mohler said.

According to reports, the flames from the raging wildfire is visible from from State Routes 71 and 91. People living in the area reported large plumes of smoke in the air that could be seen from several miles away.

The Observer Chronicle in the meantime reports that as many as six brigades are involved in the efforts to control the blaze. Firemen belonging to Cal Fire, the Riverside County Fire Department, and the Corona Fire Department have sent their firemen to help control the wildfire. At the time of filing this report, over 200 people are involved in the efforts to control the wildfire. There are reports that two air vessels and two water-dropping helicopters are also being used.

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the inferno in order to ascertain whether it was caused due to natural reasons or if there was foul play involved.

The Inquisitr reported last year about a wildfire that engulfed a 4,300-acre area in California.

[Image Via Fox News]