Several wildfires exploded in Southern California from Ventura County to Riverside County, even the northernmost part of Los Angeles. Thousands have been forced to evacuate as powerful Santa Ana winds kicked up Thursday.
The Saddle Ridge Fire is the largest in southern California, located in the northern most part of the city of Los Angeles. As of Saturday, the fire had scorched over 7,500 acres with 19% containment and over 31 structures damaged or destroyed.
So far, there has been two firefighter injuries and at least one related death to this fire.
SEE THE LATEST SADDLE RIDGE FIRE EVACUATIONS AND UPDATED INFORMATION
Saddleridge Fire Burns in Northern Los Angeles, CA
**HAPPENING NOW** Mandatory evacuations continue as the Saddleridge Fire in Northern Los Angeles grows and remains wind driven overnight. Homes have already been destroyed by the fire, and many remain threatened…we will be tracking the weather in the area this morning.
Posted by WeatherNation on Friday, October 11, 2019
The #SaddleRidgeFire has grown quickly to 7,542 acres. The fire began near Sylmar, #California and grew by thousands of acres overnight and continued to spread throughout the day on Friday. Here you can see the #wildfire smoke in Malibu. #CAwx Video Credit: Saleem Major
Posted by WeatherNation on Friday, October 11, 2019
Another significant fire is the Sandalwood Fire, which continues to burn in Riverside county, California. The Sandalwood Fire broke out Thursday in Riverside County, increasing in size overnight to more than 800 acres burned and remaining around 25% containment. More than 70 structures, including homes, have been destroyed from the flames. At least 2 deaths had been attributed to the fire as of Saturday, with Riverside County Sheriff’s Dept working to identify remains found in a mobile home park Saturday.
SANDALWOOD FIRE EVACUATION MAP
**WILDFIRE LATEST** Another fire roaring through homes in Riverside County, CA, as the Sandalwood Fire as of early Friday morning has grown to 500 acres with only 10% containment.
Posted by WeatherNation on Friday, October 11, 2019
There are several other wildfires burning in California. The California Department of Forestry and Fire keeps a list of fire incidents on their website. The Briceburg Fire, located in Mariposa County had also increased to significant size, over 5000 acres. As of Friday, however, all evacuation orders were lifted, as crews maintain good control of the blaze. Other fires
#OlivasFire Update: Aerial photo of challenging fuels firefighters are facing. All that unburned vegetation is over head height. Updated fire size 200 acres 50% containment. Progress stopped. Heavy time commitment is expected to reach 100% containment. @VenturaCityFD @OxnardFire pic.twitter.com/wvajBWIHA7
— VCFD PIO (@VCFD_PIO) October 11, 2019
Thousands people have had to evacuate from all of the wildfires in the area, and the threat for more growth and new fires to spark remains a concern today and into the weekend.
WeatherNation spoke with the National Weather Service in Los Angeles on Friday to talk about the weather that has been helping create and fuel these fires, and also learned more about the outlook as we head into Fall and Winter.
With high fire danger continuing into the holiday weekend, make sure to do your part to help fires from sparking and spreading.
