Sierra Madre fire out of control

A raging fire in the Sierra Madre region of California is burning out of control.

Sierra Madre Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Bamberger told the Times two firefighters had sustained minor injuries.

SIERRA MADRE, Calif. -- A brush fire that broke out Saturday near Los Angeles spread Sunday, burning about 400 acres and forcing evacuations, emergency officials said.

Most of the burned acreage is in steep, mountainous terrain north Sierra Madres, Calif., the Los Angeles Times reported.

The fire in the foothills of the Sierra Madre range in Los Angeles County started Saturday and quickly spread to threaten hundreds of homes and 11,600 residents in Sierra Madre, the newspaper said.

About 1,000 people were evacuated from more than 500 homes Sunday.

Rescue workers evacuated about 100 hikers and 60 Boy Scouts from the area.

Sierra Madre Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Bamberger told the Times two firefighters had sustained minor injuries.

Officials said mild winds and hot, dry weather could delay full containment of the blaze until Tuesday or Wednesday.

"This is not a lazy fire," said Bamberger. "This fire is burning with some energy."

Weather officials say the predictions of a hot dry summer ahead make this blaze a warning of things to come.