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| Brush fire hits California south | Brush fire hits California south |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| A brush fire fuelled by strong winds and dry vegetation has scorched thousands of acres of land in California, fire officials have said. | A brush fire fuelled by strong winds and dry vegetation has scorched thousands of acres of land in California, fire officials have said. |
| At least 500 families were forced to evacuate their homes in the area and some three houses caught fire. | At least 500 families were forced to evacuate their homes in the area and some three houses caught fire. |
| The fire broke out in the Anaheim Hills area of California, some 35 miles (56km) south-east of Los Angeles. | The fire broke out in the Anaheim Hills area of California, some 35 miles (56km) south-east of Los Angeles. |
| Police are investigating reports that a stolen car, torched to hide the evidence may have sparked the blaze. | Police are investigating reports that a stolen car, torched to hide the evidence may have sparked the blaze. |
| "This is a very dangerous fire fight," Orange County fire chief Ed Fleming said. | "This is a very dangerous fire fight," Orange County fire chief Ed Fleming said. |
| "The terrain is quite rugged, with homes on top of ridges, and the fire picks up speed as it heads up the hill." | "The terrain is quite rugged, with homes on top of ridges, and the fire picks up speed as it heads up the hill." |
| Red flag alert | Red flag alert |
| More than 800 firefighters have been deployed but the high winds, reaching speeds of 35mph (56km/h) were making their task difficult. | More than 800 firefighters have been deployed but the high winds, reaching speeds of 35mph (56km/h) were making their task difficult. |
| Helicopters and planes also doused the fire with water and flame retardant from the air. | Helicopters and planes also doused the fire with water and flame retardant from the air. |
| The authorities have put the affected area under a red flag alert. | |
| Such fires are a regular occurrence for California residents. | Such fires are a regular occurrence for California residents. |
| Many of them will be spending their evening at the local schools and community centres that have opened their doors to people forced to abandon their homes. | Many of them will be spending their evening at the local schools and community centres that have opened their doors to people forced to abandon their homes. |
Have you been affected by the brush fires? Send us your experiences using the form below. | Have you been affected by the brush fires? Send us your experiences using the form below. |
| You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100 | You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100 |
| Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |
| When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |