THOUSANDS FLEE CALIFORNIA FIRE

Around 6,000 residents have been ordered to leave their homes in the face of a raging wildfire near Palm Springs in California. 

Nearly 3,000 firefighters are battling the so-called Mountain Fire, which has ravaged some 22,800 acres in the San Bernadino National Forest east of Los Angeles. 

The blaze is now more than 35 square miles in size, and was only 15% contained by Thursday. Temperatures in the tinderbox conditions are exceeding 38C (100F). 

Some 4,100 homes are threatened by the blaze, as well as 100 commercial properties. 

The most active parts of the blaze are above the town of Idyllwild and near Trails End, to the southwest of Palm Springs, a celebrity-retiree oasis city two hours' drive to the east of Los Angeles. 

Fire officials said the fire had been growing in an atypical manner.

A total of 2,985 firefighters, 228 fire engines, 10 fixed-wing aircraft, 17 helicopters, 21 water tenders and 15 bulldozers are involved in fighting the blaze, the latest in a particularly active wildfire season in the western US. 

Authorities said the fire was "human-caused" but they would not say whether it was accidental or intentional. There have been no reports of any injuries.

Three weeks ago, 19 firefighters were killed when they were overcome by flames in a fast-moving blaze in neighbouring Arizona.

It was the most deadly wildfire since 29 people lost their lives fighting a blaze in Los Angeles's Griffith Park in 1933.

Source: Agencies