Devastating California wildfires
The raging, rapidly spreading Blue Cut wildfire in Southern California, east of Los Angeles, has burned over 40 square miles and led to massive evacuations of tens of thousands of people as the governor of California declared a state of emergency, August 17, 2016.
Despite the efforts of 1,300 firefighters with more on the way, firefighters said they have never seen anything like this wildfire, growing so fast with such ferocity since it started late Tuesday morning, reports CBS News correspondent Carter Evans.
Other fires blazing in California include the Clayton fire and the Chimney blaze, both of which began Saturday, August 13.
Here, flames whipped by strong winds burn through a hillside before destroying camper vans during the Blue Cut Fire in San Bernardino County, California, August 17, 2016.
Blue Cut Fire
Hotshot firefighters build a fire line after the fire jumped Lytle Creek Road during the Blue Cut Fire in San Bernardino County, California, August 17, 2016.
California wildfire
Smoke rises from a burned out grove of trees at the Blue Cut wildfire in Wrightwood, California on August 17, 2016.
A rapidly spreading fire raging east of Los Angeles forced the evacuation of more than 82,000 people.
Animals evactuated
Horses are pictured at a shelter set up at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds due to the Blue Cut fire in Victorville, California, August 18, 2016.
Blue Cut fire in San Bernardino County
A huge plume of smoke crosses over Interstate 15 during the Blue Cut fire at the Cajon Pass in San Bernardino County, California, August 17, 2016.
Wildfire
Embers from a wildfire smolder along Lytle Creek Road near Keenbrook, California on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016.
Firefighters had at least established a foothold of control of the blaze the day after it broke out for unknown reasons in the Cajon Pass near Interstate 15, the vital artery between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Five years of drought have turned the state’s wildlands into a tinder box, with eight fires currently burning from Shasta County in the far north to Camp Pendleton just north of San Diego.
California wildfire
A rabbit sits under bush during the Blue Cut wildfire in Phelan, California on August 17, 2016.
More than 1,300 firefighters were battling the giant blaze with more on the way, but as of early Wednesday they had been unable to contain the inferno.
California wildfire
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/raging-southern-california-wildfire-forces-massive-evacuations/
In this photo, firefighters watch the Blue Cut wildfire burning near Cajon Pass, north of San Bernardino, California on August 16, 2016.
California wildfire
People watch the so-called Blue Cut wildfire in Lytle Creek, California, August 16, 2016.
The fire is currently 9,000 plus acres, with 700 personnel on scene. Fifty-seven engines, 8 crews, 8 air tankers, 2 Very Large Air Tankers (VLATS), with additional firefighters and equipment on order. There is imminent threat to public safety, rail traffic and structures. An estimated 34,500 homes and more than 80,000 people are affected by the evacuation warnings.
San Bernardino County Fire
A firefighter watches the so-called Blue Cut Fire in the San Bernardino National Forest in San Bernardino County, California, August 16, 2016.
California wildfire
Lower Lake resident Linda Cifelli, displaced from her home since August 14th, sits outside the tent she’s been living in with her dogs as she waits to be allowed back to her home after the Clayton Fire, August 16, 2016 at Redbud Park, Clearlake, California.
A man was arrested and charged with arson for starting the massive wildfire in northern California that has destroyed 175 buildings and forced thousands to flee to safety.
California wildfire
Smoke fills the skies viewed through an extreme wide angle lens at the so-called Blue Cut Fire in the San Bernardino National Forest in San Bernardino County, California, August 16, 2016.
California wildlife
A truck burns on Main Street in the town of Lower Lake, Calif. on Sunday, August 14, 2016. Flames continue to burn out of control in the area.
Cal Fire spokeswoman Suzie Blankenship said the fire was creating its own weather pattern and shifted direction Sunday afternoon into populated areas.
California wildfires
Michelle Waller, left, consoles her son, Thomas Salaz, center, as it is announced that an arsonist was arrested for allegedly sparking a wildfire in Lower Lake that exploded over the weekend, in Middletown, California, Monday, on Aug. 15, 2016
Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin said Damin Anthony Pashilk, 40, of Clearlake was arrested Monday on 17 counts of arson and is in jail. He is suspected in numerous fires in Lake County over the past year.
California wildfire
Burned property at Hess Road and Highway 138 shows the devastation of the Blue Cut fire in West Cajon Valley, California, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016.
California Bluecut Fire
The sun sets through smokey skies from the so-called Blue Cut Fire in the San Bernardino National Forest in San Bernardino County, California, August 16, 2016.
California wildfire
The Summit Inn, a popular roadside diner at the crest of historic Route 66 in Oak Hills, Calif. burns to the ground after a fast burning wildfire swept through the town, Tuesday, August 16, 2016.
The Southern California wildfire that began as a small midmorning patch of flame next to Interstate 15 in the Cajon Pass had by Tuesday’s end turned into a 28-square-mile monster that had burned an untold number of homes.
Blue Cut wildfire
Flames burst next to a car as the Blue Cut wildfire rages near Cajon Pass, north of San Bernardino, California on August 16, 2016.
Blue Cut Fire San Bernardino County
Thick smoke from the so-called Blue Cut Fire fills the sky near the San Bernardino National Forest in San Bernardino County, California, August 16, 2016.
Blue Cut Fire - San Bernardino County
A chicken coop goes up in flames with animals still inside (not pictured) at the so-called Bluecut Fire in the San Bernardino National Forest in San Bernardino County, California, August 16, 2016.
California wildfire
The Tuscan Village Winery is seen destroyed by the Clayton Fire in Lower Lake, California, August 16, 2016.
A man was arrested and charged with arson for starting the massive wildfire in northern California that has destroyed 175 buildings and forced thousands to flee to safety.
California wildfire
Flames flare up from the Blue Cut wildfire near Cajon Pass, north of San Bernardino, California on August 16, 2016.
California wildfire
An air tanker drops fire retardant on the Blue Cut Fire in Lytle Creek, California, August 16, 2016.
California wildfire
Firefighters battle the Blue Cut Fire near Cajon Pass, north of San Bernardino, California on August 16, 2016.
California wildfire
A man calms his horse on the streets while evacuating from the so-called Blue Cut Fire in the San Bernardino National Forest in San Bernardino County, California, August 16, 2016.
California wildfire
Flames burn next to the Interstate 15 as the Blue Cut wildfire rages near Cajon Pass, north of San Bernardino, California on August 16, 2016.