California wildfires - live: Thousands forced to evacuate as blaze spreads outside of LA

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Wind-driven fires threaten California homes

Wildfires have forced thousands to evacuate northern Los Angeles communities, after a blaze spread from 60 acres to 1,600 acres within hours.

The fire in northern Los Angeles has been dubbed the Saddleridge Brush Fire, and is among at least two blazes of concern. The other fire was sparked by burning trash dropped by a dump truck in Riverside County, around 70 miles east of Los Angeles.

The Saddlebridge evacuation area includes at least 1,600 homes, and reportedly impacts around 100,000 residents.

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Key Points

• Blazes are among around 275 wildfires that have broken out across the state, as peak fire season begins
• MAP: Where these Los Angeles area fires can be found
• What's causing these fires? Strong, inland winds known as Santa Ana winds — here's what those are
• CONTEXT: Fires come following last year's devastating fire season — which left over 100 civilians and firefighters dead, and cost billions
• Major California utility set to cut power to some 740,000 customers in rare move to protect life and property

[11 October 2019 14:33 · Clark Mindock]

The Saddleridge Brush Fire — north of Los Angeles — and the Sandalwood fire — east of there in Riverside County — are among some 275 wildfires that have broken out across the state, peak fire season begins, according to officials.

Most of those other fires have been put out, but the risk of loss of life and property remains a major concern in the region after the 2018 wildfire season left 97 civilians dead, 6 firefighters dead, and cost the region more than $3.5 billion in damages (including the complete destruction of some towns).

[11 October 2019 14:39 · Clark Mindock]

The newest blazes come as state utility provider Pacific Gas and Electric Co moved forward with plans to cut power to around 740,000 customers across the state, hoping to cut back on the risk of further fires.

Governor Gavin Newsom has blamed the necessity of that on years of mismanagement by the utility.

[11 October 2019 14:50 · Clark Mindock]

The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) has a planned media briefing at 7.30am local time (which is about four hours from now).

[11 October 2019 14:54 · Clark Mindock]

Here is a map of active fires in the Los Angeles area, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Second from left is the Saddleridge fire, which reports 1,600 burning and none contained at the moment.

In the cluster of three on the right, the middle fire is the Sandalwood fire, which has impacted 500 acres. It is 10 per cent contained, according to the department.

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection map of fires in the Los Angeles area. 

[11 October 2019 15:00 · Clark Mindock]

We've focused on the Saddleridge Fire and Sandalwood, but there are least eight fires that CALFIRE is responding to.

The largest so far is the Briceburg Fire, which has impacted 4,905 acres, and is 28 per cent contained as of yesterday. The fire appears to be in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, and relatively far away from major population centers.

[11 October 2019 15:15 · Clark Mindock]

The Los Angeles Times reports that the Saddleridge fire has already burned numerous homes, and closed off two freeways.

The Saddleridge fire was moving so fast through the northern foothills of the San Fernando Valley that it jumped into some neighborhoods before residents could be warned by police and firefighters.

One resident, speaking to the newspaper, watched a two-story home burning overnight. "That's my home", the man said, indicating he had been in the residence just 15 minutes earlier.

[11 October 2019 15:27 · Clark Mindock]

So what's fueling the rapid growth of these blazes?

The Santa Ana winds — extremely dry downslope winds that originate inland — have been flowing through, out towards the Pacific Ocean. We have seen gusts as high as 60 mph.

Those winds have led to many parts of the region to be under red-flag warnings (meaning, they have particularly high fire risk). Overall this means that there are warm temperatures, low humidity, and stronger winds than usual. Even a cigarette could start a blaze in those conditions.

[11 October 2019 15:45 · Clark Mindock]

Here's a look back at what authorities have said overnight as the Saddleridge Fire exploded north of Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Police Department chief Michel Moore: "We need people to leave now while they can."

The fire jumped two freeways overnight, and an unknown number of homes have been destroyed. The primary area impacted so far is the Porter Ranch Neighborhood.

[11 October 2019 16:00 · Clark Mindock]

Another resident in the Saddleridge fire path said he went to bed at around 10.30 pm, and was awoken by his nephew around midnight.

"You need to go," the nephew told the man, who told The Los Angeles Times that his name is Chaz. 

Chaz then watched the fire as it moved along the nearby canyon, which he enjoys hiking in.

"I've watched fires on the news," he said. "But, this hits home. I live here." 

[11 October 2019 16:15 · Clark Mindock]

Here is what the devastating wildfires in California look like from the ground.