Southern California wildfires forces thousands to evacuate

Strong Santa Ana winds have been feeding major wildfires all week, destroying hundreds of houses and forcing tens of thousands of people to stay away from their homes.

Updated

Published

Dec 11, 2017, 03:47 PM

Flames rise as a fire front approaches the Lake Casitas area near Ojai, California, on Dec 8, 2017. PHOTO: AFP

A firefighter works in Ventura County as efforts continue against the Thomas Fire in Ojai, California, on Dec 9, 2017. PHOTO: EPA-EFE

Firefighters attack the Thomas Fire’s north flank with backfires as they continue to fight a massive wildfire north of Los Angeles, near Ojai, California, on Dec 9, 2017. PHOTO: REUTERS

Firefighters check for hot spots at the Rancho Monserate Country Club, a mobile home park, in Fallbrook, California. PHOTO: NYTIMES

Firefighters rest after protecting mobile homes in Fallbrook, California, on Dec 8, 2017. PHOTO: EPA-EFE

Several dozen homes in the Rancho Monserate Country Club succumbed to the Lilac Fire. PHOTO: NYTIMES

Firefighting helicopters try to save a house from the Thomas wildfire in Carpinteria, California, on Dec 10, 2017. PHOTO: AFP

A firefighter looks through the smouldering ruins of a burned house near Casitas Pass Road as the Thomas Fire continues to grow near Carpinteria, California, on Dec 10, 2017. PHOTO: AFP

A plume of smoke is seen from Ojai, California as the Thomas Fire grows and advances toward seaside communities near Carpinteria, California, on Dec 10, 2017. PHOTO: AFP

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