USA: Four dead, hundreds flee California wildfire

A brush fire blamed on arsonists swept through the desert hills near Palm Springs on Thursday (October 26), killing four firefighters, sending residents fleeing and trapping hundreds more in a rural park for recreational vehicles. Whipped by warm winds after a long, dry summer, the fire roared out of control through about 24,000 acres (9,700 hectares) in less than 24 hours, destroying at least 10 homes and engulfing a firetruck, fire officials said. By nightfall, the fire line stretched 15 miles (24 km) along canyons and rugged hills 90 miles (145 km) east of Los Angeles and 17 miles (27 km) northwest of Palm Springs. But Riverside County Fire Department Chief John Hawkins said the more than 1,000 firefighters were finally making progress. He said crews would work through the night despite strong winds and acrid billowing clouds of smoke. Hawkins said the fire was caused by arson and that the deaths of the firefighters were being treated as homicide. A reward of $100,000 was offered to catch the arsonists and Riverside County officials said they had received several tips that were being followed. The firefighters who died were caught by erratic winds while trying to save a remote house early in the day. Three died at the scene and a fourth died in the hospital of his injuries. A fifth firefighter was in critical condition with burns to 95 percent of his body. About 700 people were ordered to leave their homes as the blaze took hold. Many were forced to flee at a moment's notice, leaving belongings and pets behind. Hawkins said an additional 400 to 1,000 people were trapped in a recreational vehicle park in the hills because firefighters had been unable to get them out.

ITN Source | October 28, 2006

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