AGUANGA, Calif. (AP) — A wildfire fueled by gusty Santa Ana winds ripped through rural land southeast of Los Angeles on Monday, forcing about 4,000 people from their homes, fire authorities said.
The so-called Highland Fire erupted at about 12:45 p.m. in dry, brushy hills near the unincorporated Riverside County hamlet of Aguanga.
The winds were expected to ease somewhat overnight and fire crews would attempt to box in the blaze, LaRusso said.
Southern California was seeing its first significant Santa Ana wind condition.
The National Weather Service said Riverside County could see winds of 15 to 25 mph (24 to 40 kph) through Tuesday with gusts as high as 40 miles per hour (64 kph) .
Persons:
Jeff LaRusso, LaRusso
Organizations:
National Weather Service
Locations:
Calif, Santa, Los Angeles, brushy, Riverside County, Aguanga, Southern California, Santa Ana, Pacific, California, Riverside