CABAZON, Calif. (AP) - Three firefighters were killed and two critically injured as they battled a wind-whipped wildfire Thursday that drove hundreds of people from their homes near Palm Spring, the U.S. Forest Service said. The firefighters were trying to protect a house early Thursday when the flames swept in.
"The engine was in the area and with the wind conditions like they were, the fire just overtakes and burns the entire engine," said Pat Boss, a U.S. Forest Service spokesman.
All U.S. Forest Service personnel were pulled off the fire after the deaths so they could "gather their thoughts, say their prayers," he said.
The fire, pushed by dry Santa Ana Winds of 25 mph or more, quickly blackened more than 4,000 acres and destroyed at least three homes on Thursday. At least one civilian was also injured.
The cause of the fire wasn't immediately clear. It started early Thursday, burning in a valley with a few scattered ranch homes. The hamlets of Poppet Ranch and Twin Pines were evacuated along with a juvenile center, Twin Pines Boys Ranch.
About 200 people left homes when mandatory evacuations were ordered, fire Capt. Julie Hutchinson said.
