Firefighters battled wildfires across northern and central California overnight after they erupted over the weekend and tore across thousands of acres, forcing hundreds of people under evacuation orders to flee homes and campgrounds.
In north Los Angeles County, the blaze, which has been dubbed the Post Fire, has burned 14,625 acres south of Gorman, about 60 miles northwest of Los Angeles, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Eight percent of the fire has been contained.
The fire began Saturday around 2 p.m. and, fueled by strong wind gusts, expanded south along Interstate 5, causing authorities to issue mandatory evacuations and warnings.
More than 1,200 people were evacuated from Hungry Valley Park, a popular destination for off-roaders and bikers known for its scenic motorcycle trails. To the south, authorities closed Pyramid Lake, a reservoir popular for weekend boating located about 25 miles northwest of the city of Santa Clarita.
Firefighters battled the blaze as it approached Lake Pyramid overnight, but were hampered by limited visibility as they attempted to establish a perimeter on the fire’s east side, Cal Fire said. One commercial structure has been destroyed by the flames. The cause of the fire remains unknown.
The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for the I-5 corridor in northwest Los Angeles County, warning of high temperatures and low humidity as well as wind gusts ranging from 30 to 50 mph through Monday afternoon. Tuesday also could see strong northerly winds.
“These conditions will be favorable for the rapid growth and spread of wildfires, including the ongoing Post Fire complex,” the weather service said.
Blaze near Lake Sonoma prompts evacuation orders
In northern California, firefighters battled the so-called Point Fire, which erupted around noon Sunday and quickly spread over 1,000 acres. The blaze broke out just east of Lake Sonoma and soon authorities issued an evacuation order for hundreds of residents between the lake and the small city of Healdsburg; thousands have been placed under evacuation warnings.
At least one firefighter has been injured, according to Cal Fire. Some 400 first responders have been deployed to the scene where authorities used helicopters, bulldozers, water tenders and 50 fire engines to stamp out the fire.
Multiple structures were damaged and destroyed in the fire, through authorities are not certain on an exact number. Through the night, firefighters used three helicopters in their latest attempt to quell the flames amid strong winds and low relative humidity, Cal Fire said. As of Monday morning, the blaze was 20% contained.
Authorities said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Nearby areas, including North Bay and Contra Costa counties, issued Spare the Air advisories, warning that the air may be unhealthy for sensitive groups, temporarily banning wood burning and urging residents to avoid smoke exposure.
“Protect your health, stay indoors,” the advisory says.
The fires comes amid an already active wildfire season, which typically runs from July to early December.
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