The wind-blasted fire is one of three in Southern California that have shut down major freeways and forced thousands of people to abandon homes.
In Santa Barbara County, more than 100 homes burned to the ground in the wealthy community of Montecito on Thursday night.
In Orange County, fire officials said at least a dozen buildings
had burned in the Yorba Linda area.
MANDATORY EVACUATIONS: The entire area north of the 210 Freeway and north of the 5 Freeway near the State Route 14 interchange is under evacuation orders, extending east to Hubbard Street and Pacoima Canyon.
Evacuation orders have expanded to west of Interstate 5 between Balboa Blvd. and Reseda Blvd., and north of Bradford Place; north of the 210, east of I-5 and west of Hubbard St. Nearby residents are encouraged to prepare for evacuation.
Officials advised evacuating residents to move out of the area quickly, and to allow room on roads for firefighting personnel moving toward the blaze. California Highway Patrol was assisting with traffic control on the 210 Freeway; all non-essential personnel have been advised to avoid the area at this time.
Approximately 5,000 people are being evacuated.
EVACUATION CENTERS: Sylmar High School, at 13050 Borden Ave. in Sylmar, and San Fernando High School, at 11133 O'Melveny Ave., in San Fernando. Chatsworth High School, Kennedy High School, Pierce College and Hansen Dam have been added to the list of evacuation centers.
Check the interactive Google map for a list of evacuation centers.
ANIMAL EVACUATIONS: Dept. of Animal Services: Horses can be taken to the Hansen Dam Equestrian Center at Foothill Blvd. and Orcas Ave. Other animals can be taken to Mission Animal Center at 15321 Brand Blvd. in Mission Hills, or to the athletic fields at both high-school evacuation centers.
ROAD CLOSURES:
The 210 Freeway has been closed in both directions between the 118 and the 5 freeways.
The 210 Hubbard Ave. on- and off-ramps are closed
The 210 Osborne St. on- and off-ramps are closed
I-5 Freeway closed southbound at 126
14 shut soutbound at San Fernando
Northbound 5 Freeway closed at the 118
Northbound 405 Freeway closed at 118
SURFACE STREET CLOSURES:
Northbound from each of the following intersections:
Bledsoe Street and Foothill Boulevard;
Filbert Street and Foothill Boulevard;
Rinaldi Street and Woodley Avenue;
Balboa Boulevard and San Fernando Street;
Hubbard Street and Eldridge Avenue;
Eldridge Avenue and Sayre Street;
Shablow Avenue and Gavina Avenue;
Gavina Avenue and Hubbard Street;
Foothill Boulevard and Osborne Street;
Rinaldi Street and Balboa Boulevard;
Foothill (210) Freeway northbound off-ramp at Osborne Street; and
Osborne Street north of Foothill Boulevard.
The fire reportedly has burned approximately 2,600 to 3,000 acres and is at zero containment. Temperatures in the fire area are in the 90s, and wind gusts are blowing at about 50 mph. Flames are being pushed west to the Sesnon Fire area, which may help slow the wildfire, Ruda said.
The fire was reported at 10:30 p.m. Friday, and quickly flared up and burned several hillsides north of where the 118 and 210 freeways intersect at the base of the Angeles National Forest, just above Veterans Memorial County Park.
The fire is within L.A. City Fire Department's jurisdiction; L.A. County Fire is assisting at the scene. A staging area has been set up near El Choriso Regional County Park. About 20 fire engines responded to the fire call Friday night, according to an L.A. Fire Dept. spokesperson.
Water-dropping helicopters had to deal with violent Santa Ana winds amplified by the foothills terrain, slowing down the pace of the battle. The winds are not expected to die down until midday Saturday.
The cause of the fire was under investigation. Arson investigators were on scene early Saturday morning.
RESOURCES:
Sayre Fire Evacuation Hotline: (800) 439-2909
Human Services, Shelter and Special Needs Assistance, L.A. County: 2-1-1 or (800) 339-6993
American Red Cross, Los Angeles Chapter: (888) 737-4306
City of Los Angeles Department of Animal Services: (888) 452-7381
Sylmar High School
13050 Borden Ave
Sylmar, CA 91342
(818) 833-3700
San Fernando Senior High School
11133 O'Melveny Ave
San Fernando, CA 91340
(818) 898-7600
Chatsworth High School
10027 Lurline Ave
Chatsworth, CA 91311
Kennedy High School
11254 Gothic Ave
Granada Hills, CA 91344
For information on patients evacuated from Olive View UCLA Medical Center, call (323) 869-2626.
