Hundreds ordered to evacuate as two California fires burn nearly 5,000 acres

Sept. 5 (UPI) -- A pair of fires burning more than 5,000 acres prompted mandatory evacuations in parts of California on Thursday.

The Tehama County Deputy Sheriffs Association announced mandatory evacuations for portions of the county as the Red Bank fire formed on Thursday.

Cal Fire said the blaze burned more than 4,300 acres and was 0 percent contained.

Six tankers, three helicopters and an air attack aircraft responded to the scene to combat the fire, Tehama County Fire spokesman Dave Doughty said.

The Tenaja fire was 10 percent contained after breaking out in La Cresta, Calif., at around 4 p.m. on Wednesday.

The blaze was first reported at 25 acres and ballooned to 1,974 acres by Thursday evening.

No deaths or injuries were immediately reported in either blaze, but two structures were damaged in the Tenaja fire.

More than 500 homes were facing mandatory evacuation and 500 more were under voluntary evacuation, while the Murrieta Valley Unified School District closed all of its schools on Thursday.

Cal Fire said more than 500 firefighters were combatting the blaze alongside six air tankers and three water-dropping helicopters.