The latest wildfire to scorch Southern California advanced on thousands of homes Wednesday, ravaging several structures as it expanded to at least 25,000 acres while feeding on drought-stricken vegetation. "This is not the time to mess around," said Battalion Chief Mark Peebles of the San Bernardino County Fire Department. Authorities did not have an exact number of homes destroyed in the first hours of the explosive wildfire, but warned communities of bad news ahead. The blaze was among several large fires burning up and down California, from Shasta County in the far north to Camp Pendleton Marine base in San Diego County. It came after several steady weeks of major fires around the state, even though the full force of the traditional fire season has yet to arrive.

Source: Fox News August 17, 2016 20:03 UTC