"Southern California Wildfire Rages Unchecked After Evacuations"

"Hundreds of firefighters were battling a rapidly-spreading wildfire raging unchecked in drought-stricken Southern California on Wednesday after flames forced more than 80,000 residents to flee.

The Bluecut Fire, which erupted on Tuesday morning and has grown to cover some 18,000 acres (7,300 hectares) of heavy brush in an area called the Cajon Pass, was zero percent contained as of Tuesday night, fire officials said.

Authorities issued evacuation orders for 82,640 residents and some 34,500 homes near Interstate 15, the main freeway between Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area, a stretch of which was closed indefinitely."

Curtis Skinner reports for Reuters August 17, 2016.

SEE ALSO:

"State of Emergency Declared, 82,000 Evacuated After Southern California's Blue Cut Fire Explodes to 15,000 Acres" (Weather Channel)

"Monstrous California Wildfire Drives Over 80,000 From Homes" (AP)