Strong winds are fueling the explosion of the Springs Fire in Southern California, with evacuations ordered and thousands of acres already scorched.

Crown Fire initially started today at 12:26 p.m. at Crown Valley & Soledad Canyon Road, Acton in Los Angeles County, California. By Friday afternoon, it had scorched 280 acres. As of Friday afternoon, the fire crew effectively contained 5% of the wildfire.

Brush fires erupted in the Inland Empire and northern L.A. County Friday, triggering evacuations as Santa Ana winds picked up across Southern California.

Cal Fire and the California Department of Forestry & Fire Prevention are offering the public an interactive view of the Springs Fire, which is burning at least 3,500 acres in Moreno Valley Friday afternoon.

A fast-moving brush fire east of Moreno Valley grew to 2,817 acres on Friday, April 3, prompting evacuation orders near Lake Perris

With reservoirs brimming — but snowpack abysmal — experts warn of a potentially early fire season.

In California, 113 home fire deaths were reported by news media last year, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Nationwide, the number was 2,129. In addition to the many steps you can take to prevent a residential fire, knowing what to do during one could save your life.