Around 1,200 people have been forced to evacuate their homes as wildfire continues to spread outside Los Angeles.
The devastating wildfire, named the Post Fire, ignited on Saturday just 65 miles northwest of LA, and has scorched over 14,000 acres as fire crews battle the blaze.
As of Sunday night, just two percent of the fire was contained, as officials said high winds of up to 50mph are spreading the flames across the region.
The cause of the Post Fire is as yet unknown, but it is believed to have started at 1:45pm on Saturday in Gorman near Hungry Valley Park, according to officials.
Further reports show the fire spreading near the major highway of Interstate 5, towards Pyramid Lake.
Wind gusts are forecast to reach up to 70mph overnight, as officials warned evacuations – conducted by the California Park Services – may be escalated.
Breathtaking images showed firefighters battling the huge wildfires, with helicopters brought in to dump water from above to contain the flames.
In anticipation of further damage, evacuation warnings have also been sent out to areas west of Interstate 5 between Pyramid Lake and Gorman.
More than 400 firefighters are working with 70 engines and two dozers to put out the flames.
‘Currently crews are working to construct perimeter fire lines around the flakes of the fire’, an update from Cal Fire on Sunday reads.
‘Aircraft are working to stop forward progress but have limited visibility.’
The Post Fire marks the first major wildfire of the year in Los Angeles County, although California has recorded a total of 1,769 wildfires this year.
Firefighters working in sweltering conditions and steep terrain raced to douse the fires shortly after they were reported.
Kenichi Haskett, a section chief for the LA County Fire Department, told the Associated Press that their efforts have been hampered by unpredictable winds blowing embers through the dry region.
‘When it’s windy, it just sprays the water everywhere we don’t need it. So that’s a challenge,’ Haskett said.
No injuries or damage to homes have yet been reported, however officials warned residents of Castaic, home to about 19,000 people, that they should prepare to leave if the fire pushes further south.
‘If you’re in a warning area, be prepared with a ‘go bag,’ with overnight clothes and your cellphone, your medicines, your glasses. Have your car fueled up,’ said Haskett. ‘Be ready to evacuate.’
A ‘Red Flag’ fire warning was issued along the I-5 corridor by the National Weather Service on Sunday due to strong winds and low humidity.
‘Wind gusts of 45-55 mph today, increasing to 60-70 mph tonight, strongest across ridgetops,’ the service posted on X.
The warning will remain in effect until 5pm on Monday local time.
The low humidity and steep terrain of the effected area is hampering firefighters efforts.
Firefighters in the region are also battling a second blaze in Hesperia in San Bernardino County.
The second fire broke out after 6 p.m. Saturday in the 18000 block of North Highway 173, the LA Times reported.
Meanwhile in Northern California, a small wildfire sparked Sunday prompted evacuation orders and warnings for a sparsely populated area near Lake Sonoma.
The so-called Point Fire sent up a huge plume of dark smoke as it churned through brush and timber about 80 miles (130 kilometers) north of San Francisco. It was 15% contained.