PostHeaderIcon California wildfires burn 21 homes and threaten 12,000 more





The wildfire in the Angeles National Forest has raged for days and grown more than twice its original size burning at least 21 homes in the foothills and endangering 12,000 more.

Firefighters are battling the huge blaze which darkens the sky in the last 6 days, destroying 164 square miles of trees and vegetation. Using fire retardants and water, they try to protect Mount Wilson on whose slopes several edifices rest.

Defying evacuation orders, three people sustained significant burns. Five people have called for help near Gold Creek, Los Angeles, but rescuers find it hard to reach them.

On Monday, August 31, 2009, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in the counties of Monterey, Placer, Los Angeles, and Mariposa. The conflagration of about 20 miles fed on brush and inched through the terrain to threaten communication lines and an astronomy observatory in Mount Wilson.

Close to 7,000 homes were given evacuation orders as the wall of fire raged. Two of the 2,500 firefighters who battled the blaze were killed in line of their duty. (Photo Credi: Justin Sullivan/ Getty Images; Jason Redmond/ AP) =0=

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