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Saddleridge Fire Rips Through Southern California, Forcing Evacuations Saddleridge Fire Rips Through Southern California, Forcing Evacuations
(32 minutes later)
A fire tore through Southern California overnight on Friday, forcing mandatory evacuations of more than 12,000 homes and setting mobile homes ablaze, just as power was being restored to hundreds of thousands of Northern Californians. A fire tore through Southern California overnight into Friday, forcing mandatory evacuations for more than 100,000 homes and setting homes ablaze, just as power was being restored to hundreds of thousands of Northern Californians.
The Saddleridge fire was burning more than 4,000 acres in northwest Los Angeles as of Friday morning, according to the city’s Fire Department. The fire was 0 percent contained, the department said, and evacuation orders reached the border of Ventura County. Video aired by local television stations showed wind blowing flames along rooftops in Porter Ranch, about 10 miles from where the fire began. The Saddleridge fire was burning more than 4,000 acres in northwest Los Angeles as of Friday morning, according to the city’s Fire Department. The fire was zero percent contained, the department said, and evacuation orders stretched to the border of Ventura County. Video aired by local television stations showed flames being blown along rooftops in Porter Ranch, about 10 miles from the fire’s origin.
The Fire Department reported that at least one commercial building had burned down. At least one shelter, in Granada Hills, was filled to capacity. No injuries had been reported. The Fire Department reported that at least one commercial building had burned down and that two shelters, in Granada Hills and in Chatsworth, had filled to capacity. No injuries had been reported. About half a dozen city schools were closed.
About 312,000 people in Northern California remained without power on Friday morning, less than half of the roughly 738,000 customers whose electricity had been shut off by Pacific Gas and Electric, the state’s largest utility, this week to prevent wildfires. [Also read: For the Most Vulnerable, California Blackouts ‘Can Be Life or Death’]
The fire began about 9 p.m. on Thursday near Interstate 210 in Sylmar at the northernmost edge of Los Angeles, according to Al Poirier, the Fire Department’s chief deputy for operations. Mr. Poirier said at least 450 firefighters were trying to curb the blaze, which has been fueled by high winds and low humidity.
Fire officials feared the gusts would not let up.
“This is a wind-driven fire,” said Margaret Stewart, a department spokeswoman. “That is what has caused this fire to move. The winds are going to be extreme again today.”
About 312,000 customers in Northern California remained without power on Friday morning, less than half of the roughly 738,000 customers whose electricity had been shut off by Pacific Gas and Electric, the state’s largest utility, this week to prevent wildfires. Fire officials are not yet sure how the Saddleridge fire began.
Jacey Fortin contributed reporting.Jacey Fortin contributed reporting.