Wild fire burns at least 20 mansions in wealthy Californian town

An estimated 20 homes burned, though that number could rise, Brian Fennessy, fire chief of the Orange County Fire Authority, told a news conference.

Evacuations were ordered for about 100 homes, the Orange County Sheriff's Department said.

As California endures a historic drought exacerbated by climate change, brush that could normally resist fire is consumed with ever greater speed, Fennessy said.