Wildfire burns with ferocity never seen by fire crews

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — A wildfire with a ferocity never seen before by veteran California firefighters raced up and down canyons, instantly engulfing homes and forcing thousands of people to flee, some running for their lives just ahead of the flames.

By Wednesday, a day after it ignited in brush left bone dry by years of drought, the blaze had raged across 40 square miles, though by the end of the day the first foothold was gained and more than 1,500 firefighters had the blaze 4 percent contained.

Authorities could not immediately say how many homes had been destroyed, but they warned that the number will be large.

http://www.startribune.com/monstrous-california-wildfire-drives-over-80-000-from-homes/390401301/