Southern California's Highland Fire Grows to 2,200 Acres, Forces 4,000 Evacuations

Over 1,200 firefighters contend with Santa Ana winds and steep terrain to control Riverside County's Highland Fire; containment stands at 15% with seven structures destroyed and over 2,300 threatened.

The wildfires in California, popularly referred to as the Highland Fire, spread to 2,200 acres and forced 4,000 evacuations in Southern California, particularly in Riverside County.
Over 1,200 firefighters are battling the fire, containment stands at 15%, and seven structures have been destroyed with more than 2,300 being threatened.
The fast-spreading fire, which has been worsened by dry Santa Ana winds and low humidity, is currently at zero percent containment, with at least three structures already destroyed.
The fire is expected to continue spreading due to the wind conditions, further jeopardizing more structures and prompting extended evacuation warnings.
Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for about 1,300 homes and 4,000 residents, with warnings extending to about 500 more homes and 1,700's of residents.
Uncertainty looms as the cause of the fire remains under investigation, posing more threats as it conflagrates through grass and brush that are dried out by recent winds and low humidity.