Residents Evacuate As Wildfire Threatens Southern California Homes

[psycopk]

A wind-driven wildfire that threatened homes near Banning in Riverside County forced evacuations and road closures Wednesday afternoon, destroying at least one home.


At least 425 firefighters, 46 engine companies, 16 fire crews, six helicopters and six air tankers were sent to control the 250-acre two-headed blaze, which sent up thick towers of smoke.
The blaze, dubbed the "Summit Fire," was at 0 percent containment as of 3:30 p.m.
At least one home, [url="http://media.nbcbayarea.com/images/burnedhome1.JPG"]pictured below[/url], burned on Mesa Street at Sunset Avenue ([url="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=mesa+street+and+sunset+avenue,+banning,+ca&hl=en&ll=33.962067,-116.907256&spn=0.006549,0.009195&sll=33.945247,-116.876925&sspn=0.006551,0.009195&hnear=Sunset+Ave+%26+Mesa+St,+Banning,+California+92220&t=h&z=17"]map[/url]).





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Chief John Hawkins, with CAL Fire's Riverside Unit, said more crews are being called to battle the blaze in the rolling foothills and canyons.
"We are bringing in everything we can to get a hold on this fire," he said, adding that the area had very difficult access.
[url="http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/fire-blazes-through-banning-during-already-heightened-fire-warnings-205661621.html"]More on NBCLosAngeles.co[/url]m
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Hawkins said there are two "heads" to the fire: one north of Banning that is heading west toward an area north of the neighboring city of Beaumont; and another in the rugged foothills headed in the direction of the apple-growing community of Oak Glen.
Aerial video showed a structure, possibly a home, burning as a helicopter dropped flame retardant.
The Banning Police Department evacuated residents on Indian School Lane near Eighth Street. Roads were closed on Wilson Street between San Gorgonio Road and Highland Springs Avenue.
Banning PD asked residents in the Bench area just north of Banning to remain in their homes because surrounding roads were blocked by fire.
Evacuated residents were ordered to go to the Banning Community Center at 789 N. San Gorgonia Rd.
Crews from Riverside County Fire Department and CAL Fire worked with multiple agencies -- including from as far away as Orange County -- to control the wildfire that started near North San Gorgonio Road and Summit Drive in Banning ([url="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=San+Gorgonio+Road+and+Summitt+Drive,+Banning&hl=en&ll=33.945247,-116.876925&spn=0.006551,0.009195&sll=33.943565,-116.876882&sspn=0.006551,0.009195&hnear=N+San+Gorgonio+Ave+%26+Summitt+Dr,+Banning,+Riverside,+California+92220&t=m&z=17"]map[/url]).
The blaze was reported at 12:38 p.m. at 10 acres.
"We had an abnormally early start (to the fire season)," Hawkins said. "This is very concerning."
Areas of Southern California on Wednesday [url="http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Red-Flag-Wildfire-Weather-Forecast-205582721.html"]were under a red flag warning[/url], or increased wildfire danger, which indicates a dangerous combination of high winds, hot temperatures and low humidity

[psycopk]

[url="http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/01/18004890-residents-evacuate-as-wildfire-threatens-southern-california-homes?lite"]http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/01/18004890-residents-evacuate-as-wildfire-threatens-southern-california-homes?lite[/url]

[Anta Assamey]

[Tdp2014]

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[Spartan]

ninnane fire warning icharu even in Bay Area..

winds are going to be around 35MPH and temperature is around 90-95....wildfire chances ekkuva...

Weekend BBQ parties banned allover bay area for this weekend....

[BMW]

papam ee california vallaki ee wild fire gola tappadu