A fast-moving brush fire in the hills above Altadena, California, known as the Eaton Fire, has rapidly spread to 10,600 acres, leaving five people dead, damaging or destroying between 200 to 500 structures, and prompting evacuations for more than 100,000 people, authorities reported on Wednesday.
The fire, which began on Tuesday, was fueled by strong Santa Ana winds, with gusts reaching speeds of up to 70 mph.
As of late Wednesday, the fire remains 0% contained, and hundreds of firefighters, some from outside the state, are working to control the blaze.
The cause of the fire and the identities of the victims have not been confirmed, though the five reported deaths were acknowledged by Angeles National Forest officials.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said there have also been “a number of significant injuries.” Evacuation orders were issued for multiple areas, including La Cañada Flintridge, Altadena, Pasadena, Sierra Madre, and Arcadia. As of Wednesday afternoon, evacuation orders affected over 70,000 residents, with some 100,000 people under evacuation warnings.
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