“All the experience we’ve had with fires is out the window”, said Los Angeles County Deputy Fire Chief John Tripp, one of many who noted the fires special volatility on Sunday.
Advertisement
It was not immediately clear how many homes will remain evacuated.
Authorities on Sunday had put the number of people evacuated at 1,500.
Authorities are permitting the return of numerous 20,000 residents who were ordered to evacuate areas threatened by the Sand Fire north of Los Angeles.
Firefighters discovered the man’s body in a compact sedan in a home’s driveway as they traveled along Santa Clarita’s Iron Canyon Road on Saturday night.
The fire that has destroyed at least 18 homes in northern Los Angeles County gained ferocious new power two days after it broke out, sending so much smoke in the air that planes making drops on it had to be grounded for part of the afternoon. The evacuation areas include: – All residents in Acton along Agua Dulce Canyon Road north to the 14 Freeway; Crown Valley north to the 14 Freeway; and all of Soledad Canyon and all of Bootlegger Canyon.
Animal rescuers later tried to get Abby on her feet, even attempted lifting her with a tractor, Pease said. They were back at home Sunday, “breathing a big sigh of relief”, she said.
Firefighters “felt they lost additional structures because they had to stop what they were doing to help citizens evacuate”, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby said.
Firefighter Sergio Toscano of the U.S. Forest Service learned his home was torched while battling another fire, CNN affiliate KABC-TV in Los Angeles said. Drones block firefighting efforts, as aircraft used to fight the fire are grounded for half an hour. The county leases them from Canada after the end of Canada’s fire season, but that isn’t until next month.
“I mean just a change of clothes would be cool, and to see if the house is still standing”, Cosenza told KPCC.
However, he also said there was a chance of normal to above normal levels of rain.
Extreme heat, strong winds and parched rugged terrain will continue to hamper firefighters, the officials said, adding that they were still trying to pinpoint the cause of the wildfire, which had been only 10 per cent contained by early on Monday.
Evacuation centers were established at Highland High School at 39055 25th Street West in Palmdale; at Hart High School at 24825 Newhall Ave.in Santa Clarita; and at Lakeview Terrace Recreation Center at 11075 Foothill Drive in Sylmar.
A wildfire burns close to a home near Sand Caynon and Placerita Caynon in Santa Clarita, Calif., Saturday, July 23, 2016. The animals were taken to warehouses to wait out the fire, including the hangar at Van Nuys Airport.
Firefighters have been trying to battle the massive fire since Friday near Santa Clarita and the Angeles National Forest. Officials also say there may be delays as people return and they suggest that residents who don’t need to come back right away wait until later in the evening.
The fire has prompted the South Coast Air Quality Management District to issue a smoke warning effective until midnight on Monday. The Sand Canyon exit on the northbound Antelope Valley (14) Freeway will remain closed.
However, the Placerita Canyon Natural Area park, which includes the nature center, lost The Walker Ranch campground at about 3:30 a.m. Monday, he said.
Advertisement
At a news conference, Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell pleaded with the public to comply with evacuation orders when possible, noting that staying causes logistical challenges for crews on the ground.
