At least three fires broke out in Los Angeles County Friday afternoon, amid hot, dry weather that is expected to persist through the weekend.
In Palmdale, firefighters were battling a 300-acre brush fire near the corner of North 35th Street East and East Avenue Q. In the Angeles National Forest, the Fork Fire broke out and quickly spread to 250 acres in the East Fork area above Glendora, sending up a giant plume of smoke visible for miles.
This area is popular with hikers and those looking to swim in the San Gabriel River, making it particularly dangerous.
Angeles National Forest spokeswoman Dana Dierkes said two people were being treated for possible smoke inhalation and a “small number” of people were being evacuated from the East Fork Trailhead parking lot.
She said firefighters from multiple agencies were on scene, along with seven air tankers and eight helicopters.
The Los Angeles Fire Department was also responding to a 29-acre brush fire between the 210 Freeway and La Tuna Canyon Road in Tujunga.
“In terms of fire potential, we’ve only seen a few break out in the last hour or two,” said Bryan Lewis, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.
A heat warning is in effect through Wednesday for the Antelope Valley and mountains of Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles counties, with temperatures expected to reach 106 degrees. Low humidity is expected to persist at least through the weekend.
The coastal plain and valleys are expected to be cooler.
While hot, dry conditions make it easier for fires to start, Lewis said conditions are not yet severe enough to issue a fire warning.
In the Antelope Valley, firefighters were making “good progress” on what has been dubbed the Deer Fire, said Luis Garcia, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Fire Department. He said structures could be “impacted” but should not be in danger.
Air and ground support are battling the Fork Fire. The California Highway Patrol has closed East Fork Road from Highway 39 to Glendora Mountain Road.
(Angeles National Forest)
In the Angeles National Forest, the Fork Fire forced the closure of the East Fork Road between Highway 39 and Glendora Mountain Road, a social media post from the Angeles National Forest said.
“Our goal is to put this fire out as quickly as possible,” Dierkes said.
