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MALIBU, California - A fast-moving wildfire pushed by Santa Ana winds raced through the canyons and mountains of this wealthy Southern California enclave for the second time in little more than a month on Saturday, destroying more than 30 homes and forcing as many as 14,000 residents to flee.
The fire erupted shortly before 3.30am after the long-predicted Santa Anas finally returned, and the blaze quickly grew to 2,200 acres before the winds died down.
"Waking up at four in the morning with the smell of smoke in your nose and the wind beating at the windows is something that we learn to live with here, but it always comes as something of a shock," said Malibu Mayor Jeff Jennings.
An estimated 35 homes were destroyed, and between 10,000 and 14,000 people were evacuated, said Los Angeles County Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman.
- AP
