California hit by extreme wildfires

A university campus, nuclear power plant, military base, homes and businesses have been evacuated as unusually fast-moving wildfires tear across southern California.

No major injuries were reported, but thousands were forced to flee burning homes, while hundreds of schools were closed through at least next week. At least two firefighters suffered minor injuries -- one heat-related and one from smoke inhalation.

A combination of weather events have brought the fires earlier than usual, months before the traditional fire season. The blazes broke out amid searing heat and dry, gusty winds that helped create explosive fire conditions in drought-stricken hillside and mountain areas across Southern California.