Thousands Forced To Evacuate As California’s Sand Fire Continues To Spread

Thousands Forced To Evacuate As California’s Sand Fire Continues To Spread

Shifting winds and blazingly hot temperatures are fuelling a wildfire in southern California that has now spread to 132 square kilometres and is now threatening several neighbourhoods.

Flames flare up from a wildfire near Placenta Canyon Road in Santa Clarita on Sunday (Image: Associated Press)

The Sand Fire — named for the area’s Sand Canyon — started on July 22 and has now grown to 33,000 acres. This troublesome blaze is currently burning near Big Sur and the Angeles National Forest east of the Santa Clarita Valley, about 50km from downtown Los Angeles.

Thousands Forced To Evacuate As California’s Sand Fire Continues To Spread
Image: Associated Press

Image: Associated Press

More than 1600 firefighters with help from water-dropping helicopters are currently working on several fronts to contain the flames. As of 11:00PM local time Sunday, the fire was 10 per cent contained, but spreading in several different directions owing to variable winds.

Five years of drought and a lack of winter rain due to El Niño conditions has set the stage for what could be one of the worst wildfire seasons in California history. “These are not normal times,” noted Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby in NBC News. “When we say evacuate, that means evacuate.”

Thousands Forced To Evacuate As California’s Sand Fire Continues To Spread
Image: Associated Press

Image: Associated Press

At least 18 homes have been destroyed so far, including Sable Ranch — a popular movie set used in such shows as The A-Team, 24 and Maverick. A man was found dead in his burnt-out vehicle, while hundreds of animals, including a mountain lion and bengal tigers, had to be evacuated from the Wildlife Waystation sanctuary. On Sunday, helicopters were grounded for about a half-hour when an unauthorised aerial drone was spotted in the skies above the wildfire.

Thousands Forced To Evacuate As California’s Sand Fire Continues To Spread
Helicopters were grounded briefly on Sunday after an unauthorised aerial drone was spotted in the skies above the wildfires. (Image: Associated Press)

Helicopters were grounded briefly on Sunday after an unauthorised aerial drone was spotted in the skies above the wildfires. (Image: Associated Press)

In just three days, the Sand Fire has spread to 132 square kilometres, doubling in size since Saturday night. The fire is being fuelled by heavy chaparral and brush, and is spreading rapidly owing to strong, shifting winds and high temperatures. Forecasters once again projected 37C temperatures for Monday.

Thousands Forced To Evacuate As California’s Sand Fire Continues To Spread
A car covered in aerially-applied fire retardant remains parked in Ruthspring Dr., in Santa Clarita, Calif., on Sunday, July 24, 2016. (Image: Associated Press)

A car covered in aerially-applied fire retardant remains parked in Ruthspring Dr, in Santa Clarita, Calif., on Sunday, 24 July 2016. (Image: Associated Press)

“Things got in alignment yesterday and that fire came through like a freight train,” said Deputy Fire Chief John Tripp, of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Thousands Forced To Evacuate As California’s Sand Fire Continues To Spread
Image: Associated Press

Image: Associated Press

Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for parts of Acton on Agua Dulce Canyon road north to the 14 Freeway, Crown Valley Road to the 14 Freeway and all of Soledad Canyon. An area downwind from the fire is considered to be in danger. The fires have also generated poor air quality, so people with respiratory problems are being asked to stay indoors.

[NBC, CBS]


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