Southern California wildfire prompts evacuation order for thousands as Santa Ana winds fuel flames

By MARCIO SANCHEZ
Associated Press

AGUANGA, Calif. (AP) — Firefighters aided by aircraft are battling to contain a wind-driven wildfire that has damaged or destroyed at least nine buildings in rural Southern California and forced authorities to issue evacuation orders for 4,000 residents. The Highland Fire is burning Tuesday near the Riverside County hamlet of Aguanga after breaking out Monday and being spread by gusty Santa Ana winds over 4 square miles of brushy hills. Fire authorities say about 2,400 homes and other buildings are threatened. About 1,300 homes are under evacuation orders. Three structures were destroyed, including at least one home, and six others have been damaged. One firefighter has been injured but authorities haven’t provided details.