Nearly 35,000 homes are under evacuation orders, impacting approximately more than 82,000 residents, according to the wildfire’s federal InciWeb page. Additionally, a number of road closures are affecting traffic and the ability to travel through the area, including the full closure of a stretch of the 15 Freeway. <br />Television footage captured a fire tornado, more accurately known as a fire whirl, a phenomenon in which flames and gusts combine to form whirling eddies. <br /> <br />California’s governor, Jerry Brown, declared a state of emergency in San Bernardino County on Tuesday. The Red Cross set up emergency shelters for evacuees, including one for animals. <br /> <br />“There is imminent threat to public safety, rail traffic and structures. Please follow the evacuation instructions, as this is a very quickly growing wildfire,” said the state incident information system. “An estimated 34,500 homes and 82,640 people are being affected by the evacuation warnings.” <br /> <br />The fire blazed out of control despite efforts by 700 firefighters backed by 57 engines and 10 air tankers. They requested reinforcements and braced for a long night ahead. <br /> <br />Flames trapped six firefighters who were defending homes in Swarthout Canyon. They found shelter but two suffered minor injuries, officials said. <br /> <br />Full list here <br />http://marygreeley.com/?page_id=34489
