Wildfires sweep through Southern California canyon

Wildfires have ripped through canyons across Southern California this week, forcing some 25,000 residents to be evacuated.

The main blaze in Orange County's Silverado Canyon started at a family home on Wednesday night.

Driven by high winds and dry vegetation, it has already burnt through some 7,000 acres of land and, as of Thursday, was zero percent contained.

California Governor Gavin Newsom said they were monitoring multiple blazes.

"We're in December and we now have active wildfires still in our state. These Santa Ana winds in the last few days have been quite intense. They're peaking later this afternoon and in the early evening."

Hundreds of firefighters have been battling the flames, aided by aircraft dropping water.

Two of them were injured and have been taken to a local hospital for further treatment.

California has grappled with fires of record-breaking intensity and size in recent years and 2020 has been particularly difficult.

Since the start of the year, wildfires have scorched more than 6,500 square miles across the state.