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California Brush Fire Forces Evacuation of 500 Homes


A fast-moving brush fire in southern California, on the U.S. West Coast, has forced the evacuation of more than 500 homes and burned 2,000 acres of parched hillside.

The fire prompted officials to order mandatory evacuations Sunday from the upscale Anaheim Hills neighborhood of Orange County - about 55 kilometers southeast of Los Angeles.

Authorities suspect an abandoned car may have been the source of the fire, which was fueled by strong winds, unseasonably hot temperatures, and very low humidity.

About 800 firefighters battled the blaze, while helicopters and air tankers dropped water and fire retardant on the scorched earth. Officials say the fire was 30 percent contained by late Sunday, and had only damaged two homes.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.

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