Firefighters in the western U.S. state of California have made some progress containing a wildfire that has burned more than 12,000 hectares since Tuesday, but authorities warned that while they do not know how many homes have been destroyed, the number will be large.

“It hit hard.  It hit fast.  It hit with an intensity that we hadn’t see before,” said San Bernardino County Fire Chief Mark Hartwig.  “There will be a lot of families that come home to nothing.”

The fire is in a mountainous area north of the city of San Bernardino, burning brush and sending large amounts of white and black smoke into the sky.  More than 1,500 firefighters are already on the ground and more are on their way to help.

 
 
In Photos: California Wildfire

California is used to seeing wildfires during the warm summer months, but this fire grew unusually quickly.  How it started is not known.

“We are in the fifth year of the drought, so that in combination with the hot weather, low relative humidity and winds that we’ve been having is resulting in a fire that’s moving very fast, very intense,” said Cal Fire spokesman Henry Herrera.

With the fire only 4 percent contained, the threat of it spreading further prompted authorities to order more than 82,000 people in the area to evacuate their homes.  They said the move would help firefighters focus on putting out the fire and not having to rescue anyone who stays and ends up in trouble.  Still, some people are reluctant to go.

“I’m not leaving because we’re surrounded by all greenery and once the fire gets down to the bottom they should be able to put it out right there,” said resident Joe Cole.

Others say they are prepared to leave if the flames reach their neighborhood.

“If the first house catches on fire or the fire breaks this mountain here, then I’m gone,” said Nico Santucci, who added that he had two vans packed and waiting.  “We are going to stay to the last minute and hope for the best.”

WATCH: Firefighters battle blaze

 
…