California wildfire threatens 1,300 homes south-east of Los Angeles

A firefighter battles the Highland fire, near Aguanga, California, on Monday. A wildfire near Los Angeles has forced about 4,000 people from their homes. Photograph: Mike Blake/Reuters

A wildfire fueled by gusty Santa Ana winds ripped through rural land south-east of Los Angeles, forcing about 4,000 people from their homes, fire authorities said.

About 1,300 homes and 4,000 residents were under evacuation orders, a fire spokesperson, Jeff LaRusso, said on Monday. Evacuation orders and warnings remained in place on Tuesday morning, officials said.