California Wildfires Update | ABC30 Fresno

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By ABC30

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Fresno, CA Firefighters call it a monster fire, threatening several communities, Northeast of Los Angeles, spouting flames more than 100 feet high into the sky.

A massive wall of fire, fueled by dense, dry vegetation chars tens of thousands of acres in the Angeles National Forest, doubling in size in one night.

Mike Dietrich, U.S. Forest Service said: "This is a very dynamic fire. The conditions are treacherous. ".

On Monday, officials order mandatory evacuations of more than 10,000 homes.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor said: "When you hear from law enforcement anything about evacuations, follow their orders. "

Two homeowners who defied orders were seriously injured trying to save themselves in their hot tub.

Another person was burned in an evacuation area and others who didn't leave, had to be rescued.

Two firefighters were killed when their vehicle plunged off a 700 foot canyon road.

Michael Freeman, Los Angeles Co. Fire chief said: "They were advised the fire was coming very rapidly. They got in the vehicle, just the two of them, and were trying to reposition the vehicle at which time for reasons still yet unknown, the vehicle went off the side. ";

As the fire edged closer to the Mt. Wilson observatory there was an all out air assault to protect the area, home to 20 television and radio transmission towers and fire and police communication equipment. A plume of thick noxious smoke hangs over Los Angeles.

So far the fire is 5 percent contained, officials said the fire is so big it's not expected to be contained for another two weeks.