GORMAN, Calif. – A wind-fueled wildfire burning north of Los Angeles has grown to more than 12,000 acres in less than 24 hours, causing air pollution across Southern California.
The Post Fire started at 1:47 p.m. Saturday on Gorman Road in Gorman, California, and continues to burn in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
Firefighters from Los Angeles and Ventura counties and the U.S. Forest Service are battling the blaze, which has destroyed at least two structures so far.
The fire grew to 4,400 acres by Saturday night and then grew out of control, exploding overnight and growing to more than 12,250 acres by Sunday afternoon, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
The fires are primarily in Los Angeles County, with hundreds of acres burning in Ventura County as well.
Los Angeles County Fire Department officials said Sunday that firefighters had the blaze 2% contained.
Authorities issued evacuation orders west of Interstate 5 between Pyramid Lake and Gorman, including Hungry Valley Park.
The fire has been moving toward Hungry Valley Park, and California State Parks has evacuated about 1,200 people from the park, which is popular for four-wheel drive vehicles, dune buggies and dirt bikes. Pyramid Lake has also been closed because of the fire.
Evacuation warnings were issued for areas south of Pyramid Lake between the Aldridge Route and the Los Angeles County line, including Paradise Ranch Estates.
These residents should prepare to move out.
Firefighters are facing tough conditions as wind speeds are expected to increase late Sunday night, reaching 30 mph with gusts of up to 50 mph.
The National Weather Service in Los Angeles warned that dangerous fire conditions would continue into the beginning of this week.
A high wind warning has been issued for southern Ventura County. Northwest wind gusts could reach 65 mph along Interstate 5 in the mountainous areas of Ventura County and the foothills of the western Antelope Valley.
Wildfires create unhealthy air
An air quality warning is in effect until Sunday evening due to fine particle pollution from wildfire smoke.
Residents in the Santa Clarita Valley, along Interstate 5, the San Gabriel Mountains and Highway 14 are being advised to limit their time outdoors.
Air quality near Santa Clarita, Simi Valley and the San Gabriel Mountains deteriorated to “unhealthy for sensitive groups” on Sunday, according to a map on AirNow.gov.
