"AGUANGA, Calif. — Hundreds of firefighters aided by aircraft on Tuesday battled a wind-driven wildfire that damaged or destroyed at least nine buildings in rural Southern California and prompted authorities to order 4,000 residents to evacuate.

Gusty Santa Ana winds spread the Highland Fire over 3.5 square miles (9 square kilometers) of brushy hills near the Riverside County hamlet of Aguanga after it broke out Monday afternoon.

Three structures were confirmed destroyed and six others were damaged, said Riverside County Fire Department spokesperson Jeff LaRusso.

Luis Quinonez was away when a house he owned burned to the ground. He was trying to keep his spirits up."

Marcio Sanchez reports for the Associated Press October 31, 2023. [2]