SoCal fire firefighters gain support from Valley strike team as they battle the Canyon Fire

A fire in Southern California has forced hundreds out of their home and quickly scorched over 2,000 acres. Now, firefighters from the Valley are headed to the Canyon Fire to help.

Hundreds of firefighters are working to contain the blaze that prompted more than 300 hundred homes to be evacuated.

The canyon fire started burning on Monday afternoon. What started at just 25 acres quickly grew to more than 2,000 acres.

At last check, the fire was only five-percent contained.

Overnight a strike team from the Madera, Mariposa, and Merced unit with 15 firefighters leaving for Southern California and right now, their assignment is to backfill and cover the stations on the actual fire-- but that can all change.

Another strike team is also on its way.

Firefighters from the Valley are headed to the Canyon Fire to help.

Battalion Chief Troy Cheek said it is a challenge fighting fires in areas they are not familiar with.

"Working in your area where you know where to get there the fastest way. Where you know the topography, the fuels, you know where previous fires are, fire history-- yeah, it's a little easier, but again, we're a statewide agency and go where we're needed."

Cheek said they can be gone for two days or even a month, but there is still no word on how long this strike team may be out helping with the Canyon Fire.

The Canyon Fire does have air support, and according to the Corona Fire Department, they have more than three helicopters assisting. They said that air drops continued through the night.

There are also four airplanes, but those were grounded throughout the night.