Massive Wildfire In Southern California Destroys More Than 16,000 Acres, Burns A Person From Head To Toe

UPDATED: It is 25% contained. More than 1,500 residents have been evacuated and five people have been injured.

The wind-driven fire, which started at 2 p.m. on Wednesday near Banning, has destroyed around 10,000 acres and at least 15 structures, including homes in Riverside County, west of Palm Springs.

The Silver fire has injured three people: Three firefighters and one civilian who is receiving treatment for head-to-toe burn injuries.

There are around 1,000 firefighters on the scene, six air tankers and 13 helicopters dropping water on the raging fire.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated. It continued to move east towards the desert.

UPDATE — Aug. 8, 2013, 6:18 p.m. ET:

#Silver Fire [update] is now estimated at 11,000 acres, still 10% contained. The fire is actively burning in the San Jacinto wilderness.

CAL FIRE Riverside

@CALFIRERRU

#Silver Fire [update] is now estimated at 11,000 acres, still 10% contained. The fire is actively burning in the San Jacinto wilderness.

/ Via

#SilverFire presser: Official calls it the fastest spreading fire 'not under Santa Ana conditions' he's seen. Latest: http://t.co/QtR5pcXbFh

L.A. Times: L.A. Now

@LANow

#SilverFire presser: Official calls it the fastest spreading fire 'not under Santa Ana conditions' he's seen. Latest: http://t.co/QtR5pcXbFh

/ Via

#SilverFire: Multiple factors like rugged terrain, dry conditions and wind created dangerous, fast-moving fire http://t.co/jbJ8qCInsO

L.A. Times: L.A. Now

@LANow

#SilverFire: Multiple factors like rugged terrain, dry conditions and wind created dangerous, fast-moving fire http://t.co/jbJ8qCInsO

/ Via

#SilverFire presser: @BarbaraBoxer concludes w/ warning about 'mindless' sequestration cuts -> impact on firefighting resources

L.A. Times: L.A. Now

@LANow

#SilverFire presser: @BarbaraBoxer concludes w/ warning about 'mindless' sequestration cuts -> impact on firefighting resources

/ Via

UPDATE — Aug 8, 2013 11:00 p.m. ET:

#SilverFire Update: The fire is now estimated at 14,000 acres and 20% contained http://t.co/HrsPIZeRdQ

BuzzFeed News

@BuzzFeedNews

#SilverFire Update: The fire is now estimated at 14,000 acres and 20% contained http://t.co/HrsPIZeRdQ

/ Via

UPDATE — Aug 9, 2013 12:30 p.m. ET:

#SilverFire now at 16,000 acres, 25% contained; wind could throw 'curveball' http://t.co/IMPruuLyqX

L.A. Times: L.A. Now

@LANow

#SilverFire now at 16,000 acres, 25% contained; wind could throw 'curveball' http://t.co/IMPruuLyqX

/ Via

Silver fire: More than 2 dozen homes destroyed, 5 firefighters hurt http://t.co/H6JSZaihGY

L.A. Times: L.A. Now

@LANow

Silver fire: More than 2 dozen homes destroyed, 5 firefighters hurt http://t.co/H6JSZaihGY

/ Via
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