Firefighters struggling with California's most dangerous fire season are facing another challenge - thousands of people refusing to leave their homes.

Some residents say wildfires are now a normal part of life and that the fire 60 miles east of Los Angeles is simply the latest.

Kim Boyle lives in the picturesque ski town of Wrightwood which is currently under threat.

Ms Boyle told the Associated Press news agency that this fire was one of about half a dozen she had seen during her decade living in Wrightwood and that she would evacuate her home only if she saw flames in town.

"I think that's true for a lot of folks around here because they've been through this so many times," she added.


Image: Thousands of people in California have been ordered to leave their homes

Around 34,500 homes are under threat from the Blue Cut fire, named after the narrow gorge near its origin in the Cajon Pass.

Around 80,000 people have already fled to nearby shelters.

But half of Wrightwood's more than 4,500 residents are among those staying put, even though California - and some other states - consider ignoring mandatory evacuation orders to be a criminal offence.

Such crimes are rarely prosecuted, according to the American Bar Association.

US Forest Service spokesman John Miller said that the stubbornness was part of a disturbing trend, adding that many homeowners were simply staying inside and calling emergency services for help.

Image: Emergency vehicles on a closed road over Cajon Pass, near Wrightwood

Ms Boyle said that she and her family wanted to stay to keep their market open for firefighters.

She added: "Firemen come in and tell us what's going on, and I think that helps us feel better because we get the scoop from them.

"I trust they will do what they need to do and have always done for us."

Others such as Perry Van Dran opted to stay but packed their vehicles for a quick getaway, should the situation worsen.

He said: "I can't take the risk.

California Fires See Thousands Flee

"Last night the smoke was blowing into town.

"You could look down Highway 2 and see where the fire was burning - that's a little too uneasy for me."

But San Diego fire Captain Robert Allen said that, in the past, fire engines had been stuck behind the vehicles of people who had waited to the last second to leave.

He said: "I can understand their feelings but, at the same time, it creates a hazard: not only do we have a fire to fight - now we have to save lives."

The Blue Cut fire has destroyed 35,969 acres and by Thursday night, firefighters had contained just 22% of the blaze.

Nearly 30 major fires have ruined around 530 square miles in eight western states this week.