A fire in Tenaja is raging in Southern California: "They do not know which way to go."

The flames of the Tenaja fire are dangerously burning near homes in California. After destroying 2,000 acres, the fire is only about 10%.

Hundreds of homes were threatened when strong winds ravaged the fire on Thursday afternoon. "All of a sudden, it just started to take off!" a witness said.

Some 800 firefighters, facing temperatures up to 90 degrees, attacked the fire with ground bulldozers and helicopters releasable in the air.

"We have deployed a whole strike team," said Fernando Herrera of the Riverside County Fire Department, who added that firefighters also went to the owners' backyards to protect their homes.

Some people have also watered their home to protect themselves. The teams threw pillows and cushions into the pool to try and eliminate materials that could quickly catch fire.

Meanwhile, police and firefighters patrolled the neighborhoods, warning families that it was time to leave.

"They do not know how it will happen," said one resident. "They therefore recommend that we leave here as soon as possible."

Up to now, two houses have been damaged. Officials said the situation was still dangerous.

"This is an incident that is changing rapidly," said Murrieta Police Chief Sean Hadden. "We are asking people to stay out of the area."

Some hills in the area have not burned for over 20 years, which generates a significant amount of fuel. Officials do not say when they will let people go home and schools in the area will remain closed because of poor air quality.

Tenaja is not the only fire the state faces: in Northern California, the Red Bank's fire exploded overnight, reaching 6,000 acres.