The Colby Fire continues to burn in the foothills above Glendoraand Azusa after it erupted just before 6 a.m. on Thursday near theAngeles National Forest, according to a story .

More than five dozen firefighters have been deployed to battlethe rapidly growing blaze, and though progress has been made, thefire was reportedly only 30 percent contained as of 11 p.m. lastnight.

Yesterday, flames and smoke forced 3,700 Californians toevacuate the area. So far, the blaze has scorched 1,709 acres,damaged 17 buildings, and destroyed at least five homes, includinga guest house on the campus of the historic Singer Mansion, a 1920sestate built by heirs to the Singer sewing machine fortune.

It is still premature to speculate as to the number or potentialtotal costs, but insurers can expect claims for partial and totallosses to dwellings to begin rolling in. PCI, among otherinsurance carriers, is offering tips to residentsin the Glendora and Azusa areas to not only helpensure their safety but to also help prepare them for thebest possible claims outcomes.

PCI urges residents to heed state and local warnings, andto evacuate when asked. Once in a safe location,residents should begin saving receipts for hotels, meals and otherexpenses and contact their respective insurersthrough toll-free claims telephone numbers.

Policyholders who have lost their homes to the fires areimmediately eligible for additional living expense (ALE) coverage,which may reimburse for increased living expenses such as, lodging,clothing, toiletries and other necessities. Policyholders who areevacuated for a period of time by state or local officials, and donot lose their home, may also be eligible for ALE reimbursement ifthe home next door is damaged by fire, and civil authoritiesprevent you from returning to your home.

No stranger to devastation to its sprawling landscape,California witnessed the third largest wildfire in its history justlast year—the Rim Fire. The massive fire, which has been named thelargest wildfire ever in the Sierra Nevada region, began on Aug.17, 2013 and was not contained until Oct. 24., at which point ithad charred 257,314 acres. The Rim fire was caused by a hunter'sillegal fire that went out of control.

According to a KABC report, authorities have also intimated that humanintervention was a primary factor in the origin of theColby Fire. Today, the story notes, Glendora police arrested threecampers in connection with the fire. The suspects range from 21 to23 years in age.