Los Angeles wildfire explodes, engulfing homes

WRIGHTWOOD, United State s: A wildfire in the hills near Los Angeles exploded overnight, torching dozens of homes as its footprint increased 1,000 percent by Wednesday. The Bridge Fire is one of three out-of-control blazes that have erupted around the United States´ second-biggest city, fueled by a punishing heat wave and fanned by gusting winds.

Authorities issued widespread evacuation orders as the fire tore through the towns of Wrightwood and Mt Baldy, destroying at least 33 homes, several cabins, and racing through a ski resort.

“We live in the canyon so that fire was coming right in there, and you couldn´t take anything out of there,” local resident Jenny Alaniz emotionally told broadcaster KTLA. “I got the dogs out. Our house is gonna burn,” she sobbed. An AFP journalist in Wrightwood witnessed the aftermath of the fire, where the charred shells of buildings and vehicles stood shrouded in smoke.

The fire broke out early on Sunday afternoon in Angeles National Forest north of Los Angeles, and by Tuesday had grown to around 4,000 acres.But by Wednesday morning it had roared to 48,000 acres, fueled by thick brush that carried the flames into the San Bernardino County community of Wrightwood and the Mountain High ski resort.Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said three people -- including one of his deputies -- were trapped by the fire in a remote area near Mt. Baldy.