Evacuations lifted, California fire now 45% contained

Crews increased containment of a wildfire that sent about 700 people scrambling from their homes east of Los Angeles (LA).

Officials said the blaze in Riverside County grew to nearly 2 square miles and is 45% contained on Wednesday. All evacuation orders, most of which were from a mobile home park, were cancelled late Tuesday.

The fire broke out Tuesday afternoon and moved quickly through tinder-dry brush. Two people were taken to hospitals with minor injuries.

Cleveland National Forest - Fire is located on Cleveland NF on Bell Ridge. 20 acres; no homes threatened. pic.twitter.com/bJBKWOmm6W

— OCFA PIO (@OCFA_PIO) August 31, 2016

An assisted living centre with 10 seniors had to be evacuated as flames came within about 300 yards. Officials did not give a cause, but they said they were seeking witnesses to the activities of children near the gate to a nature park where the fire started.

To the southwest, crews in Orange County were making water drops over a 20-acre brush fire that broke out just before dawn Tuesday in the Cleveland National Forest. No structures were threatened.