5 months ago
15
NEW DELHI: On Monday, firefighters made progress in containing a significant
wildfire
in the mountains north of Los Angeles after a weekend of rapid, wind-driven expansion along Interstate 5, news agency AP reported. The Post Fire, which had consumed nearly 23 square miles (60 square kilometers) and prompted the
evacuation
of at least 1,200 people from the Hungry Valley recreation area on Saturday, was 8 per cent contained.
"That 8 per cent is good because it means we are increasing and bolstering our
containment
lines," said Kenichi Haskett, a Los Angeles County Fire Department section chief. Although firefighters aimed to keep the fire at its current size, Haskett noted that further growth was still possible.
The fire started as weather conditions turned hot and windy in an area where grasses, which had grown during a rainy winter, had long since dried out and become highly flammable. By Monday morning, the massive smoke columns that had characterized the fire's initial surge had dissipated.
Meanwhile, in
Northern California
, a wildfire that began on Sunday led to evacuation orders and warnings for a sparsely populated region near Lake Sonoma. The Point Fire, located about 80 miles (130 kilometers) north of San Francisco, had burned nearly 2 square miles (5 square kilometers) and destroyed at least one structure. It was 20 per cent contained as of Monday.
Ben Nicholls, division chief of the Cal Fire district covering the Point fire area, reported that fire activity had decreased overnight. "Forecasted winds are supposed to be less than we experienced yesterday, which should allow the resources assigned for this operational period to build and strengthen the control lines that were put in place yesterday," Nicholls said in a video briefing.
In the south, Pyramid Lake was closed as a precautionary measure on Father's Day due to the Southern California fire, which had started on Saturday afternoon near I-5 in Gorman, about 60 miles (100 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles. Two structures within the evacuated recreation area were burned. Residents of Castaic, a town with a population of about 19,000, were warned to prepare for potential evacuation if the fire continued to move farther south. Haskett advised, "If you're in a warning area, be prepared with a 'go bag,' with overnight clothes and your cellphone, your medicines, your glasses. Have your car fueled up. Be ready to evacuate."
Approximately 75 miles (120 kilometers) to the east, the Hesperia Fire, which had burned nearly 2 square miles (5 square kilometers) in San Bernardino County, was 30 per cent contained after no overnight growth. The fire had started on Saturday and caused road closures and evacuation warnings.
