Los Angeles wildfire burns 12,250 acres

US News

By FOX Weather

GORMAN, Calif. – A wind-driven wildfire north of Los Angeles is creating unhealthy air quality across Southern California after exploding in size to more than 12,000 acres in 24 hours.

The Post Fire started at 1:47 p.m. Saturday in Gorman, California, on Gorman Road and continues to burn in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Fire departments from Los Angeles and Ventura counties and U.S. Forest Service firefighters are battling the blaze, which has so far destroyed at least two structures.

After reaching 4,400 acres Saturday evening without containment, the fire exploded overnight, reaching more than 12,250 acres by Sunday afternoon, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The fire is burning primarily in Los Angeles County, with a few hundred acres in Ventura County.

On Sunday, Los Angeles County fire officials said crews were able to contain the fire to 2 percent.

Officials issued evacuation orders west of Interstate 5, between Pyramid Lake and Gorman, which includes Hungry Valley Park.

The fire is spreading toward Hungry Valley Park, prompting the California State Park Service to evacuate about 1,200 people from the park, popular for all-terrain vehicles, buggies and dirt bikes. Pyramid Lake is also closed due to the fire.

An evacuation warning has been issued for areas south of Pyramid Lake, between Old Ridge Route and the Los Angeles County line, including Paradise Ranch Estates.

These residents should be good to go.

Firefighters face difficult conditions as winds are expected to increase later Sunday night, gusting to 30 mph with gusts of up to 50 mph.

The National Weather Service in Los Angeles warned of dangerous fire conditions earlier this week.

A strong wind warning is in place for southern Ventura County. Northwest wind gusts could reach 65 mph along the Interstate 5 corridor in the Ventura County mountains and Western Antelope Valley foothills.

Forest fires create unhealthy air

An air quality alert is in effect until Sunday evening due to fine particle pollution from wildfire smoke.

Residents in the Santa Clarita Valley, Interstate 5 corridor, San Gabriel Mountains and Interstate 14 corridor are advised to limit their time outdoors.

According to the AirNow.gov map, air quality deteriorated Sunday to “unhealthy for sensitive groups” in Santa Clarita, Simi Valley and near the San Gabriel Mountains.