LOS ANGELES, Oct 4 (Reuters) - A wildfire powered by erratic winds burned four homes and triggered the evacuation of as many as 8,000 people in the San Bernardino Mountains, about 80 miles (130 km) east of Los Angeles, officials said on Sunday. The fire charred 3,500 acres (1416 hectares), more than doubling in size overnight after breaking out on Saturday afternoon east of Mount Baldy. The cause was unknown. About 1,000 firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service and San Bernardino County were battling the blaze but the gusty winds of up to 45 mph (72 km) prevented them from launching an aerial assault. The steep terrain and dense brush also were expected to hinder their efforts. The fire threatened several canyon communities. Parts of the town of Wrightwood were under mandatory evacuation. The bucolic resort has about 4,000 residents but the population doubles during the weekend. (Editing by Bill Trott)
A group of deers are seen during the Station fire in the Glendale area of Los Angeles, California September 1, 2009. The so-called Station Fire has charred 127,000 acres (51,000 hectares), ...
