California fires destroy structures, force residents to flee

HEMET, Calif. (AP) — Firefighters struggled Thursday to gain control of major California wildfires that have grown explosively and forced extensive evacuations amid a searing heat wave.

The deadly and destructive Fairview Fire in Southern California expanded in two directions on Wednesday, covering more than 30 square miles (78 square kilometers) of Riverside County. It was just 5% contained.

In the Sierra Nevada, the Mosquito Fire had scorched nearly 9 square miles (23 square kilometers), forcing evacuations in Placer and El Dorado counties.

“As you've seen with the smoke column coming up, this fire continues to give us a hard time,” Cal Fire Division Chief Mike Rufenacht said in a video briefing.

Another dangerous blaze burned near the Big Bear Lake resort region in the San Bernardino Mountains east of Los Angeles. It was just 2% contained after scorching nearly 2 square miles (5 square kilometers).

The prolonged heat wave was expected to abruptly end, in Southern California at least, by the weekend as remnants of the current Hurricane Kay arrive, bringing rain. Kay was off southern Baja California early Thursday but some showers and thunderstorms associated with the hurricane were already reaching Southern California.

The Fairview Fire erupted Monday amid triple-digit heat and spread swiftly, killing two people who were found in a vehicle, severely burning another person while destroying seven structures and damaging several others.

The cause of the fire was under investigation. Southern California Edison notified the California Public Utilities Commission that “circuit activity” occurred close in time to when the fire was reported, the Los Angeles Times said. The activity was not specified.

The Mosquito Fire burned several structures and at least 10 cars near the...