California officials have lifted evacuation orders near a rapidly-spreading fire in Southern California that has burned over 500 acres and forced the evacuation of 5,000 people from their homes, fire officials said Sunday.
A helicopter is silhouetted by glowing embers as it makes a water drop at a fire burning in Calabasas, California, U.S., June 4, 2016. Photo by Gene Blevins/Reuters
The blaze started Saturday in Calabasas after a car crashed into a power pole and started three separate fires, the Associated Press reported.
Consuming hills covered in dry brush, the fire grew to 200 acres within hours, with flames reaching as high as 50 feet.
Firefighters watch as a fire burns a hillside in Calabasas, California U.S., June 4, 2016. Photo by Mario Anzuoni/Reuters
Early Sunday morning, more than 500 firefighters had contained about 30 percent of the fire, assisted by water drops from helicopters and air tankers, officials said.
At a news conference, officials said that three firefighters had been injured. Two homes and one commercial building were also damaged by the fire.