New California Wildfire Burns Through 1,500 Acres in 8 Hours
The blaze has already devastated more than two square miles of forest.
— -- A wildfire that started just after noon in Southern California on Sunday had already consumed 1,500 acres by nightfall, according to San Bernardino National Forest officials.
Known as the Pilot fire, the blaze ripped through dry timber and brush in a mountainous area about 50 miles east of Los Angeles, consuming more than two square miles of forest in just over 8 hours, with 0 percent containment as of the most recent update by firefighters.
Crews worked through the night and into Monday morning to beat back the fast-moving inferno. Officials have deployed 400 firefighters, 36 engines, 5 bulldozers, 8 helicopters and 8 air tankers to help bring the situation under control.
The fire caused the closure of several highways crossing the area, while mandatory evacuations were ordered for residents of nearby Summit Valley.