New fires in Calif. force some to flee

LOS ANGELES — Powerful gusts pushed flames from a wildfire through Southern California canyons Thursday, one of several blazes that burned near homes and forced residents to flee amid elevated fire risk for most of the region that prompted utilities to cut off powertohundredsofthousands.

The biggest blaze began late Wednesday as a house fire in Orange County’s Silverado Canyon, where gusts topped 70 mph.

“When crews arrived, it was a fully engulfed house and the winds were extremely strong and they pushed flames into the vegetation,” said Colleen Windsor, a spokeswoman for the county’s Fire Authority.

Thefiregrewtomorethansix square miles and blanketed a wide area with smoke and ash.

Firefighters struggled in steep terrain amid unpredictable SantaAnawindsthatsentflames racing across major roads.

Evacuations were ordered for several canyon and foothill neighborhoods near the city of Lake Forest and residents of other nearby areas were told to be ready to get out.

It was not immediately known how many people were affected. Some structures were damaged,butitwasnotimmediately clear how many, Windsor said.

There was no containment of the fire.

Numerous studies have linked bigger wildfires in America to climate change from the burning of coal, oil and gas. Scientists have said climate change has made California much drier, meaning trees and other plants are more flammable.

The Bond Fire about 50 miles southeast of Los Angeles is burning near the same area of October’s Silverado Fire, which forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate.

The new blaze broke out as Southern California utilities cut power to tens of thousands of customers to avoid the threat of wildfires during the notorious Santa Anas.

Red flag warnings of extreme fire danger through Saturday were in place because of low humidity, bone-dry brush and the winds, which sweep down from the interior, the National Weather Service said.