Officials in California say they have safely evacuated 1,500 people, from the path of a raging wildfire near Los Angeles.

Helicopters, air tankers and planes have been drafted in to help more than 500 fire fighters battle the flames - which are being fanned by strong winds.

The rapidly spreading blaze covered about 10,000 acres (4,047 ha).

Experts believe this fire season could go down as the worst in US history.

Peter Bowes reports.