Author: Olga R Rodriguez | Jaimie Ding
A fast-moving fire burned multiple homes in Southern California as hot, windy weather gripped the region Friday, prompting evacuations and power outages. TV footage on KTLA showed several homes burning in San Juan Capistrano in Orange County, flames engulfing them.
The wildfire started in the coastal city of San Clemente and quickly moved into San Juan Capistrano. It was one of several fires burning in the region that was hit by dry, warm and gusty northeast winds known as Santa Anas, which blow from the interior of Southern California toward the coast and offshore, were forecast. The strongest winds were expected through Friday afternoon. The fires have led to evacuations and tens of thousands of people in the state without power after their electricity was turned off.
A blaze in Malibu, a coastal town west of Los Angeles, prompted evacuation orders and warnings for a large swath of the Santa Monica Mountains. A large cloud of black smoke over the hilltops could be seen on nearby cameras and miles away.
Winds from 20 mph to 35 mph (32 kph to 56 kph) were expected Friday, with gusts forecast to reach 50 mph up to 70 mph (80 kph to 112 kph) in some areas, the National Weather Service said.
With humidity levels dropping, “this will favour a critical fire weather threat,” the service said. More than 400 firefighters battled the Bryson Fire overnight, which was at 250 acres on Friday. It had threatened a Los Angeles County juvenile detention and rehabilitation facility, which was evacuated Thursday night. The most critical fire weather will be seen through Friday afternoon, when the strongest winds are expected, said Kevin McGowan, director of the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management.