• Wildfire exploded in size throughout the night
• Powerful winds raise fire danger for much of region
• https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/03/bond-fire-silverado-southern-california

Vehicles are pulled off to the side of the road as the Bond fire, driven by high winds, approaches Santiago Canyon Road in California on Thursday.Photograph: Leonard Ortiz/APAssociatedPressThu 3 Dec 2020 10.49 EST

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Powerful winds pushed flames through southernCaliforniacanyons early on Thursday as an out-of-control wildfire burned near homes and forced residents to flee.

The blaze in Orange county’s Silverado Canyon began late Wednesday as a house fire and quickly spread to tinder-dry brush as wind gusts topped 70mph (113km/h). The Bond fire exploded in size throughout the night and as the sun came up, an enormous plume of smoke was visible for miles.

Firefighters struggled in steep terrain amid unpredictable Santa Ana winds that have raised fire danger for much of the region.

Capt Thanh Nguyen of Orange county…