Wildfire Forces 80K to Flee —Before Start of Fire Season

Louisiana isn't the only state going through an epic natural disaster. California's latest wildfire has forced more than 80,000 people to evacuate and burned through about 9,000 acres and counting, reports the Los Angeles Times. The evacuation orders cover more than 34,000 homes in Southern California, reports the AP, including the entire ski resort town of Wrightwood. Making matters worse is that two big routes in the area, Interstate 15 and Highway 38, are shut down because of the fire, resulting in traffic jams throughout the region.

The Blue Cut fire near Cajon Pass already has destroyed homes and other structures, though fire officials don't have an estimate yet. They warn, however, that with 100-degree temperatures and strong winds in the picture, the fire could get much worse before it's brought under control. The LA Times also notes this scary fact: The fire season in Southern California doesn't typically start until the fall with the arrival of the Santa Ana winds. (More California stories.)