Blazing California wildfire that has forced hundreds to evacuate was 'started by a boy playing with a lighter in the woods'

• Authorities say a boy acknowledged starting the Cascadel Woods fire by burning pine needles in the dry Sierra Nevada
• The boy faces criminal charges but remains out of custody because he and his family are cooperating, officials say
• A Cal Fire spokeswoman said the fire broke out Wednesday afternoon and is threatening dozens of buildings
• At least 500 people are being forced to evacuate as the blaze rages and fire crews from Sonoma, Lake and Napa counties join the fire lines
• At least 136 structures remain threatened, and more than 200 people were still under orders to evacuate their homes on Wednesday
• The destructive wildfire burning north of Napa Valley has scorched 8,300 acres

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
PUBLISHED: 14:55 GMT, 30 July 2015 | UPDATED: 02:56 GMT, 1 August 2015

‘Ferocious’ wildfires force evacuation of 20,000 homes near San Diego after months of drought in California

• The wildfire - dubbed the Bernardo Fire - comes after months of drought
• Tuesday's temperature was the highest since 1979 for this time of year
• Flames spread across 700 acres as firemen and helicopters tackled the blaze
• At least five schools and 20,000 homes evacuated in San Diego, California
• A second fire in Santa Barbara County led to 1,200 homes being evacuated

By Steph Cockroft

Published: 03:46 GMT, 14 May 2014 | Updated: 13:30 GMT, 14 May 2014