LA blaze out of control

2008-10-13 20:33

Los Angeles - More than 1 000 firefighters were battling a wind-driven forest fire raging north of Los Angeles on Monday that has forced the evacuation of 1 200 people and closed several roads and schools.

Fire officials said the out-of-control blaze in the Angeles National Forest had consumed about 1 300ha of brush by 07:30 (14:30 GMT) on Monday, fanned by powerful gusts known locally as the Santa Ana winds.

So far a house, four outbuildings and three motor homes have been destroyed in the fire, which is only 20% contained, Los Angeles County Fire Department officials said.

No injuries have been reported. Three major highways and four schools in the area had been closed, officials added.

Shifting winds

Early on Monday, television network CBS2 showed what appeared to be trucks and mobile homes alight, sending thick black smoke belching into the atmosphere.

Firefighters said the shifting winds were a cause for concern.

"The concern is any embers that might be underneath or under the dirt that are turned over by the wind that can carry an ember over a mile (1.6km)," Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Sam Padilla told ABC7.

The National Weather Service has warned that wind gusts of between 80 and 110km/h were expected in mountains and canyons.

California is frequently hit by scorching wildfires due to its dry climate.

The latest fire comes roughly one year after devastating wildfires that were among the worst in California history left eight people dead, destroyed 2 000 homes, displaced 640 000 people and caused $1bn in damage.

In June and July this year, a series of about 2 000 fires raged across the state, scorching about 3 500ha of land, according to officials.

- SAPA