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What We Know About The Wildfires Burning In SoCal As Of Aug. 18
Firefighters work to extinguish hotspots from the Lake Fire in the Angeles National Forest on August 13, 2020. (Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images)
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2020 has been a series of figurative garbage fires, but here in California, we're also dealing with actual fires. We've seen several smoke plumes in the SoCal skies over the past few days, so here's a brief look at firefighters' efforts today.
LAKE FIRE
Fire crews are in the seventh day of battling the Lake Fire, which broke out last Wednesday afternoon and quickly exploded, forcing hundreds of people in the Lake Hughes area to evacuate.
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The wildfire is burning in the Angeles National Forest "over eight miles to the northeast of Interstate 5 and south of Highway 138," fire officials said. [Click here for today's map of the burn zone.]
THE BASICS
- Acreage: 21,115 acres
- Containment: 38%
- Structures threatened: 4,570
- Structures destroyed: At least 12 homes, 21 outbuildings
- Resources deployed: 1,983 firefighters
- Injuries: One minor injury to firefighter
CURRENT CONDITIONS
The combination of rugged terrain, extreme heat, and dry brush and trees is challenging firefighters. The fire is burning toward what officials refer to as "100-year-old fuels" — dense forest areas with many old, drought-stressed trees. Crews are also watching for so-called fire tornadoes, or fire devils, "a spinning vortex column of ascending hot air and gases rising from a fire."
A car charred by the Lake Fire is seen at Pine Canyon Road in the Angeles National Forest on August 13, 2020. (Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images)
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MANDATORY EVACUATIONS
- Lake Hughes Road west of Pine Canyon and north of Dry Gulch Road
- Everything east of Ridge Route Road
- Everything west of Lake Hughes Road and Fire Station 78
- Everything north of Pine Canyon and Lake Hughes Road
- Everything south of Highway 138
EVACUATION CENTERS
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On Monday afternoon, the American Red Cross annouced it closed its evacuation center at Highland High School, but said teams would be standing by to set up a new one at Antelope Valley Fairgrounds if needed.
For large animals only:
- Antelope Valley Fairgrounds | 2551 W. Avenue H in Lancaster
ROAD CLOSURES
- 3 Points Road from Highway 138 to Pine Canyon
- Old Ridge Route from Highway 138 to Pine Canyon
- Pine Canyon Road from Ridge Route Road to Lake Hughes Road
RANCH 2 FIRE
The blaze was reported Thursday afternoon in the Azusa Canyon area near North San Gabriel Canyon Road and North Ranch Road. It initially threatened homes, but burned away from the foothill cities and into Angeles National Forest. Fire officials suspect arson. [Click here for the latest map of the burn zone.]
THE BASICS
- Acreage: 3,900 acres
- Containment: 19%
- Resources deployed: 456 firefighters
CURRENT CONDITIONS
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Hot and dry conditions persist, but fire officials reported little fire growth overnight.
"Firefighters have focused on extending the containment line from the eastern perimeter along the Silver Mountain Ridge up to Pine Mountain," officials said.
ROAD CLOSURES
- State Route 39 is closed as Caltrans works to clear debris, according to its latest update
HOLSER FIRE
This blaze broke out yesterday afternoon in the Piru community in Ventura County, slightly west of the Santa Clarita Valley.
#HolserFire; Fire is now approx 3,000 acres with 20% containment. For up to date road closures and evacuation orders go https://t.co/lZ7sT3kXmB. @VCFD @LACoFDPIO @VCSOVentura @LosPadresNF #vcfd pic.twitter.com/twhz9jVeiN
— VCFD PIO (@VCFD_PIO) August 18, 2020
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THE BASICS
- Acreage: 3,000 acres
- Containment: 20%
- Resources deployed: 400 firefighters
EVACUATIONS
There are no mandatory orders at this time, but an evacuation warning has been issued for residents along Piru Canyon Road:
- North to Lake Piru
- South to Highway 126, excluding the community
- East to the LA County Line
- West to Piru Canyon Road
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For the latest information straight from local emergency officials, check the following websites and social media accounts:
- Los Angeles County Fire
- Angeles National Forest
- L.A. County Air Operations
- Lake Fire Incident page
- Ranch 2 Fire incident page
- Holser Fire information
MORE ON THIS YEAR'S WILDFIRE SEASON:
FIRE RESOURCES
- Every Day Is Fire Season. Here's How Angelenos Can Prepare Right Now
- How To Find Out About Fire Evacuations In Your Area
- How To Keep Yourself Safe From Wildfire Smoke
- The Air Is Brown — Should I Wear A Mask?
- This Is Why Fire Officials Don't Want You To Stay And Defend Your Home
- What Does 'Containment' Of A Fire Mean, Exactly?
- What Does A 'Red Flag Warning' Mean, Exactly?
- What To Do — And Not Do — When You Get Home After A Wildfire
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