MORE than 1,300 firefighters were yesterday battling an out-of-control blaze in southern California that is threatening thousands of people and homes east of Los Angeles.

The so-called “Apple Fire” that broke out on Friday near the city of San Bernardino has charred more than 8,000ha, sending up columns of smoke visible from far away.

It was so smoky that authorities declared an air quality alert on Saturday evening.

At least 2,600 homes and nearly 7,800 people have been evacuated, and officials said it is not clear when they will be allowed to return.

As at 1800 GMT, more than 1,360 firefighters backed by helicopters, water-dumping planes and trucks were working to put out the fire.

Crews lost control of the blaze after managing to contain 12% of it earlier yesterday.

There were no reports of casualties, and the only damage so far has been to two buildings and one home.

The edges of the fire are burning on rugged hills that are hard for crews to reach, said authorities.

Dense vegetation is fuelling the fire near homes, said Riverside county fire chief Fernando Herrera, while hot and dry conditions yesterday kept it burning.

A probe is under way into the cause of the blaze, which officials said may have been set deliberately. – AFP, August 3, 2020.