Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

California fires – live updates: 200,000 evacuated as blazes rage around Los Angeles

Fires are continuing to spread across Southern California 

Chris Stevenson
San Francisco
,Jeremy B. White
Thursday 07 December 2017 14:27 EST
Comments
Southern California bushfire rages on

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Strong winds and dry conditions threaten to create a renewed onslaught from a number of massive wildfires across Southern California - with high wind speeds helping to drive the blazes further across the landscape.

Officials said strong Santa Ana winds, which have already helped feed a quartet of fires that have scorched tens of thousands of acres, could gust between 50 and 80 miles per hour.

Firefighters were continuing to battle on multiple fronts. The Skirball fire, which began as a brush fire and has been menacing the upscale Los Angeles neighbourhood of Bel Air, was at 5 per cent containment by Thursday morning after it had spread over some 475 acres and destroyed at least four homes.

In northern Los Angeles County, firefighters had gotten the 7,000 acre Rye Fire within 15 per cent containment after making progress overnight. The Creek Fire had destroyed or damaged 30 structures and threatened a dozen communities as firefighters grappled with rugged terrain to bring the 12,600 acre blaze within 10 per cent containment. Some 2,500 people were dispatched to battle the two blazes.

And in Ventura County, the largest of the four conflagrations, the Thomas Fire, had grown to some 96,000 acres as firefighters contained 5 percent of the blaze amid mass evacuations that forced thousands of people out of their homes. Officials estimated that 150 structures had been destroyed.

In addition to facing mass evacuations, with authorities imploring people to have their bags packed and heed evacuation orders immediately, residents of the region faced health hazards from the smoke-choked air. Air quality monitors urged people to limit their outdoor activity.

“I’ve got to be honest, we’re concerned about everything,” said Armando Hogan, an assistant Los Angeles fire chief.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in