Terrifying photos from Southern California's raging wildfire

Just 90 miles east of Los Angeles, some 1,500 residents have already been forced to flee due to an angry wildfire that has consumed trees, cars, and homes lying in its path. Encouraged by the dry air of the rugged mountainous region, the fire has only grown in speed and size since erupting mid-afternoon Wednesday.

An army of responders — including one thousand firefighters, 13 helicopters, and six air tankers — continue to battle the blaze, which has so far defied their efforts. "Unfortunately, the size of this fire continues to take away from any progress that we're making," a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection told the Associated Press.

Here are four terrifying, up-close photos of the monstrous blaze.

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