Wildfire burns over 7,200 acres outside Los Angeles, forces thousands to flee

A fast-moving wildfire has spread to more than 7,200 acres in Southern California on Friday, forcing over 25,000 residents to evacuate, The New York Times reported.

While trying to contain the Bond fire, which had begun the previous night in the Santa Ana Mountains of Orange County, southeast of Los Angeles, the authorities said, two firefighters were hospitalised.

The blaze was initiated by a house fire in Silverado, nearly 50 miles from Los Angeles, and spread to the surrounding area, fire officials said. The cause was under investigation.

“We know that a number of houses have been damaged, potentially destroyed,” Brian Fennessy, the Orange County Fire Authority chief, said during an afternoon news conference.

Also read: Thousands flee homes near Los Angeles as wildfire rages, firefighters injured

Fennessy added that over 500 firefighters were battling the flames and more than 30 agencies were involved in the struggle, which included fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.

Notably, the Bond fire, attributed by the fire officials, is close to burning over 12,000 acres and more than 130,000 people are likely to be urged to evacuate their places.