At least three fires broke out in Los Angeles County on Friday afternoon amid hot, dry conditions that are expected to persist through the weekend.
In Palmdale, firefighters were battling a 300-acre wildfire near the corner of North 35th Street East and East Avenue Q. In the Angeles National Forest, the Fork Fire started and quickly grew to 250 acres in the East Fork area above Glendora, emitting a giant plume of smoke that was visible for miles.
That area is popular with hikers and those looking to swim in the San Gabriel River, making the situation 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 evacuated from the parking area at the East Fork Trailhead.
He said firefighters from several agencies, as well as seven air tankers and eight helicopters, were on the scene.
The Los Angeles Fire Department was also responding to a 29-acre fire between the 210 Freeway and La Tuna Canyon Road in Tujunga.
“In terms of fire potential, we’ve only seen a few flare up in the last hour or two,” said Bryan Lewis, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.
A heat advisory is in effect through Wednesday for the Antelope Valley and mountains in 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 have not yet been severe enough to issue a red flag 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 may be “impacted” but are not expected to be threatened.
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 East Fork Road between Highway 39 and Glendora Mountain Road, according to a social media post from the Angeles National Forest.
“Our goal is to put this fire out as quickly as possible,” Dierkes said.
