L.A. County forest fire explodes in size, threatens homes near Lancaster with 0% containment
Hundreds of firefighters worked tirelessly Thursday to contain a monster blaze in a pine forest north of Los Angeles that threatened hundreds of homes west of Lancaster.
The fast-moving fire was first reported around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday east of the 5 Freeway and “quickly erupted by sundown to over 6,000 acres,” Angeles National Forest Fire Chief Robert Garcia said at a news conference.
“Although we’re showing 0% containment at this time at 10,500 acres, some tremendous work was done last night, overnight, in the area around Lake Hughes and Pine Canyon,” he said.
About 100 rural homes were evacuated, officials said.
“There was a tremendous firefight to protect lives and property in that area,” Garcia said. “This will be a major fire for several days.”
Officials said the location of the fire in dry, heavily wooded areas that haven’t burned since 1968 presented challenges.
“There have been areas of this fire that have not burned in decades. It’s in inaccessible terrain, adding to the complexity of the fire,” Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby said.
“Several structures” were lost, Osby said, but, “many structures were saved because of the actions of the firefighters.”
Osby said his department had 45 engines, 10 hand crews, six bulldozers, six water tenders and multiple helicopters working the fire and also received assistance from the surrounding cities of Los Angeles, Anaheim, Long Beach, Glendale and Santa Monica.
He said early morning clouds and light rain helped the battle Thursday, but the start of a blistering weekend heat wave was worrisome.
“Our objective today is to increase our containment lines,” he said.
The National Weather Service issued excessive heat warnings in Southern California for Friday through Monday.
****#LakeFire has crossed Pine Canyon Road and is moving in a north easterly direction**** Extreme Fire Behavior***
***Addt'l evacuations for the area of:
East of Old Ridge Route, w/o 3 Point, n/o Pine Cyn Rd, s/o Highway 138****— LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) August 13, 2020
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said two families evacuated from their homes due to the fire and were staying in one of the temporary shelters set up at Highland High School in Palmdale and the Castaic Sports Complex.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation Thursday, Osby said.
