(SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE) A giant, wind-whipped fire roared through the town of Weed on Monday, forcing as many as 2,000 residents to flee as homes and buildings erupted in flames and firefighters struggled to control an inferno that caught them by surprise.
The blaze, called the Boles Fire, broke out about 1:30 p.m. in the dry grass just outside town and, fanned by gusting 40 mph winds, jumped Highway 97 and raced into the community as terrified residents fled.
The flames burned into town before firefighters had a chance to respond.
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