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A massive wildfire was burning just north of Los Angeles Monday morning, tearing through mobile homes and industrial buildings and closing down a major freeway during rush hour.
Located about 30 kilometres north of downtown Los Angeles, the fire grew into a 1,200-hectare blaze after heavy winds blew into southern California Monday morning.
"This is what we feared the most," said Los Angeles County fire Capt. Mark Savage. "The winds that were expected, they have arrived."
Though the fire began Sunday, it had settled into a smoulder by evening after about 1,200 people were evacuated from their homes. Fire officials warned, however, that the fire could grow into a "sleeping giant" by Monday morning with gusts forecasted to reach up to 95 km/h.
Renewed by the fierce winds, the blaze jumped a fireline near the Lopez Canyon in the eastern San Fernando Valley early Monday and spread towards the Foothill Freeway. A nearly five-kilometre stretch of road was closed in both directions during rush hour, highway officials said.
Meanwhile, no serious injuries have been reported since the fire ripped across a mobile home park and industrial area. While it was not immediately clear how many buildings were burnt, the fire was reportedly 20 per cent contained.
Strong autumn Santa Ana winds usually mark the beginning of fire season in the region. At least 930 hectares of the Angeles National Forest have already been scorched.
"It jumped the ridge and came down like a madman," said Barry Demeter, who told KABC-TV on Sunday that his home had burned as he led his horses away. "I left when the embers were falling around the house."
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