A new wildfire has erupted north of Los Angeles, exploding in size and sparking thousands of evacuation orders in a region already staggering from the effects of huge blazes.
Ferocious flames were devouring hillsides near Castaic Lake, spreading
New explosive wildfire erupts near Los Angeles
AFP
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“I’m just praying that our house doesn’t burn down,” one man told broadcaster KTLA as he packed his car.
The fire came with the greater Los Angeles area still suffering after two enormous fires that killed more than two dozen people and destroyed thousands of structures.
#BREAKING: We have a new fire growing and prompting evacuation orders in #Castaic. Newschopper4 is showing us how quickly the fire is spreading. Live on @NBCLA 📺🚁 pic.twitter.com/m7QUjCVEq0
— Katherine Picazo (@katnbcla) January 22, 2025
Robert Jensen from Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department urged everyone in the impacted area of the new blaze to leave immediately.
“We’ve seen the devastation caused by people failing to follow those orders in the Palisades and Eaton fires,” he said.
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“I don’t want to see that here in our community as well. If you’ve been issued an evacuation order, please get out.”
Television footage showed police driving around the neighbourhood urging people to get out.
Helicopters and planes were on the scene dropping water and retardant on the blaze, footage showed.
That fleet included two Super Scoopers, enormous amphibious planes that can carry hundreds of litres of water.
Crews from Los Angeles County Fire Department and Angeles National Forest were also attacking the blaze from the ground.
It was not immediately clear what sparked the fire, but it occurred during red flag fire conditions – when meteorologists say strong winds and low humidity create conditions ripe for rapid fire spread.
-Agence France-Presse
