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Photos: Southern California Is On Fire Yet Again And It Is Terrifying
Fires are burning through the dry tinder that is Southern California.
The National Weather Service had warned earlier this week of high temperatures, low humidity and strong winds -- also code for: prime fire weather. Southern California Edison even announced preemptive power outages for thousands of its customers.
At least three fires broke out on Thursday alone, including the Tick Fire near Agua Dulce, Old Fire (now known as Tick Branch 10, a part of the overall Tick Fire) near Castaic, Sepulveda Fire in the San Fernando Valley and the Old Water Fire in San Bernardino.
In our newsroom, we've been keeping close track of the Tick Fire and its devastation. The fire consumed thousands of acres in just the first several hours. Below is what it looked like on the ground:
A firefighter makes a stand as a wildfire approaches the backyard of a home Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, in Santa Clarita, Calif. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)
Traffic continues to flow along Sierra Highway as flames from a wildfire are close by Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, in Santa Clarita, Calif. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)
Brandon Mani covers his face from the smoke created by a wildfire as he walks along Highway 14 Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, in Santa Clarita, Calif. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)
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Flames burn close to an entrance of a home during the Tick Fire in Santa Clarita, Calif., on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019. The flames are fed by dry winds that are predicted to strengthen across the region. (Christian Monterrosa/AP)
A resident covers his face as he is evacuated as a wildfire approaches Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, in Santa Clarita, Calif. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)
Firefighters from Holton Fire Camp 16 work to contain the Tick Fire behind a residential home in Santa Clarita, Calif., on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019. (Christian Monterrosa/AP)
A structure firefighter works on the roof of a building during the Tick Fire in Santa Clarita, Calif., on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019. (Christian Monterrosa/AP)
Patricia Dennison uses a hose to try to stop an advancing wildfire from affecting her business, Dennison Automotive, along Sierra Highway Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, in Santa Clarita, Calif. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)
A vehicle lays destroyed from the flames of the Tick Fire while a SoCal Gas worker assesses the damage of a nearby home in Santa Clarita, Calif. on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019. (Christian Monterrosa/AP)
A firefighter prepares to fight a wildfire as it overtakes a home Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, in Santa Clarita, Calif. The flames are fed by dry winds that are predicted to strengthen across the region. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)
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A battery powered American flag is illuminated in a blackout during the Tick Fire, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, in Santa Clarita, Calif. (Christian Monterrosa/AP)
A firefighter works the scene of a wildfire-ravaged home Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, in Santa Clarita, Calif. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)
Firefighters work to douse flames on a wildfire ravaged home Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, in Santa Clarita, Calif. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)
A firefighter assesses the damage of a home from the Tick Fire, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, in Santa Clarita, Calif. (Christian Monterrosa/AP)
A home sits without power during the Tick Fire Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, in Santa Clarita, Calif. Fast-growing fires throughout California forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate their homes Thursday, as dry winds and high heat fed flames and fears in the state still jittery from devastating wildfires in the past two years. (Christian Monterrosa/AP)
A firefighter works at an industrial facility heavily damaged by the Tick Fire on Oct. 24, 2019 in Canyon Country (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Firefighters douse hot spots in a home that burned near Sequoia Road in Santa Clarita as the Tick Fire continued to burn near the area Friday, Oct. 25, 2019. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
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Houses in this Santa Clarita neighborhood on Wrangell Lane were turned pink by fire retardant as firefighters work to protect homes from the Tick Fire burning in the near the Sand Canyon and Agua Dulce areas on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
The Tick Fire burned right up to the edge of some homes in the Mammoth and Arches lanes area of Santa Clarita, shown on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019. (Emily Guerin/LAist)
The 14 Freeway was shut down from Golden Valley Road to Escondido Canyon Road after the Tick Fire jumped the freeway overnight Thursday. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
FIRE RESOURCES
Here are a few stories we hope will help prepare you for the next one:
- 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 To Do -- And Not Do -- When You Get Home After A Wildfire
- How To Avoid Getting Towed During LA's Red Flag Parking Restrictions
- If You Want To Help Fire Victims, Resist The Urge To Volunteer
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Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
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