By inthenews.co.uk staff.
Wildfires are raging through California fuelled by dense vegetation and hot weather.
Firefighters attempting to quash the spread of fire have struggled to contain the blaze, with two losing their lives in the flames on Sunday.
A spokesperson for the LA county fire department said: 'It is with our deepest regret to inform you of the line of duty deaths for fire captain Tedmund 'Ted' Hall and firefighter specialist Arnaldo 'Arnie' Quinones.
'These two members tragically lost their lives when they were overrun by a fast moving fire which approached fire camp 16 on the station fire incident.'
The fires, which are visible for miles, are thought to cover a 164 sq mile area north of Los Angeles, with officials saying the fire could easily double again over the coming days. More than 10,000 residents have fled from the flames, and some 6,600 homes are under mandatory evacuation orders.
More than 3,655 firefighters are battling to contain the blaze, which is closing in on Mount Wilson, threatening a key communications centre. Eight air tankers and 13 helicopters have been brought in to try to fight the flames.
The BBC has been told by Inspector Frederick Stowers of LA county fire department that only five per cent of the fire has so far been contained, adding it could be next week before the wildfires are brought under control.
Firefighters last night said the fire was blazing through 105,296 acres, with 'fire behaviour extremely active with rapid rate of spread and flame lengths up to 80ft'. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
'My administration is working around the clock to ensure that our brave men and women working on the fires front lines have the resources needed to respond and beat back these fires as quickly as possible,' said governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger.
'We have the toughest and best-trained firefighters in the world fighting to protect public safety and property. I am confident in the state's response as these fires continue to burn throughout California.'
Wildfires are raging through California fuelled by dense vegetation and hot weather.
Firefighters attempting to quash the spread of fire have struggled to contain the blaze, with two losing their lives in the flames on Sunday.
A spokesperson for the LA county fire department said: 'It is with our deepest regret to inform you of the line of duty deaths for fire captain Tedmund 'Ted' Hall and firefighter specialist Arnaldo 'Arnie' Quinones.
'These two members tragically lost their lives when they were overrun by a fast moving fire which approached fire camp 16 on the station fire incident.'
The fires, which are visible for miles, are thought to cover a 164 sq mile area north of Los Angeles, with officials saying the fire could easily double again over the coming days. More than 10,000 residents have fled from the flames, and some 6,600 homes are under mandatory evacuation orders.
More than 3,655 firefighters are battling to contain the blaze, which is closing in on Mount Wilson, threatening a key communications centre. Eight air tankers and 13 helicopters have been brought in to try to fight the flames.
The BBC has been told by Inspector Frederick Stowers of LA county fire department that only five per cent of the fire has so far been contained, adding it could be next week before the wildfires are brought under control.
Firefighters last night said the fire was blazing through 105,296 acres, with 'fire behaviour extremely active with rapid rate of spread and flame lengths up to 80ft'. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
'My administration is working around the clock to ensure that our brave men and women working on the fires front lines have the resources needed to respond and beat back these fires as quickly as possible,' said governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger.
'We have the toughest and best-trained firefighters in the world fighting to protect public safety and property. I am confident in the state's response as these fires continue to burn throughout California.'
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