Wildfires force frantic evacuations near LA; 2 die (1:32 p.m.)
LOS ANGELES — Two huge wildfires driven by strong Santa Ana winds burned into neighborhoods near Los Angeles, forcing frantic evacuations on smoke- and traffic-choked highways, destroying homes and causing at least two deaths.
Around sunset, residents were warned to stay on alert during the night and winds more than 60 mph (97 kph) were forecast. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
More than 1,000 firefighters and nine water-dropping aircraft battled the 4,700-acre (1,900-hectare) Marek Fire at the northeast end of the San Fernando Valley, and the 5,000-acre (2,000-hectare) Sesnon Fire at the west end.
Winds blew up to 45 mph (72 kph) with gusts reaching 70 mph (113 kph) at midday. They were forecast to diminish in the evening before roaring over 60 mph (97 kph) after 11 p.m.
“This fire has the real potential of moving from where it is now … as far as Pacific Coast (Highway),” said Los Angles County Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman.
Residents downwind were warned to remain alert into the night.
“It can go from here to the ocean in a matter of two to three hours,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky.
Authorities confirmed more than three-dozen mobile homes burned at the Marek Fire, and 19 structures - some of them homes – were either damaged or destroyed by the Sesnon Fire. Commercial sites burned in both fires.
“It is a blowtorch we can’t get in front of,” said Los Angeles County fire Inspector Frank Garrido.
Fire officials alerted other communities to the west in the Ventura County city of Simi Valley and south to Malibu, 20 miles (32 kilometers) away, as an ominous plume streamed over neighborhoods and far out to sea.
Residents were not allowed to drive into one of Porter Ranch’s gated communities because officials wanted to keep roads clear for emergency vehicles. Instead they parked their cars, ran to their homes and carried out whatever they could carry in pillow cases, in their arms, sacks and suitcases. Some ran out clutching paintings.
Freeman warned people not to stay home after evacuation orders had been given. “You may not be able to even outrun this fire,” he said.
A man was killed in four-vehicle crash on the nearby 118 Freeway.
California Highway Patrol Officer Leland Tang said traffic had stopped because firefighters were going by as fire neared the route. At some point, motorists stopped on the freeway because of the flames and CHP officers turned them around to use an on-ramp as an exit, said CHP Capt. J.D. Goodwin. (AP)
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