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An air tanker makes a retardant drop at
the west flank of the Station Fire near Los Angeles August 30, 2009. The
wildfire burning out of control in the mountains of Los Angeles doubled in
size overnight on August 31, 2009 and torched more structures on its march
toward rural communities, officials said. (Xinhua/Reuters
Photo)
Photo
Gallery>>> |
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Pushing in three
directions, a massive wildfire in hills near Los Angeles doubled in size to
85,000 acres (about 34,425 hectares) overnight, authorities said on Monday.
"That fire burned just
like it was daytime. Usually you get recovery because humidity goes up at night,
which slows the fire down and you're able to construct more line around the
fire," said U.S. Forest Service spokesman Nathan Judy. "But last night that
wasn't the case."
The Station Fire, which has destroyed 21 homes and
killed two firefighters, is threatening 12,500 homes, forcing thousands of
residents to flee. While the fire spreads, more homes will be burned, officials
said.
Authorities put 6,600 residents under mandatory
evacuation orders Sunday night.
Firefighters prepared for another long, hot day,
putting significant resources on the northern edge of the fire near the town of
Acton.
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The hills of Acton, California are
dotted with flames at the Station Fire's northern front August 30, 2009.
(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
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"We are making progress, but it is very slow and very
dangerous," incident commander Mike Dietrich of the U.S. Forest Service said at
a news conference this morning. "We have to wait for the fire to come to us."
Two firefighters were killed when the car they were
in ran off the side of a treacherous road in the Mt. Gleason area, south of
Acton, Sunday afternoon, said LACFD Chief Mike Bryant.
"This accident is tragic," Bryant told a press
conference Sunday evening. "This is a very difficult time for L.A. County Fire
Department and the men and women that serve day in, day out."
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A vehicle travels past a wall of flames
at the Station Fire in the Acton, California area north of Los Angeles,
August 30, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
Photo Gallery>>> |
The fire was only five-percent contained and full
containment was not expected until Sept. 8, officials said.
"In this rugged, steep terrain, with this brush as
thick as it is, we are having difficulties establishing containment lines where
we can make a stand," said Capt. Mark Savage, a spokesman for the LACFD. "This
fire is still very much out of control."
More than 2,800 fire personnel from around the state
have converged to battle the Station Fire, along with 12 helicopters and eight
air tankers.
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Firefighters are illuminated by
headlights near the Station Fire's northern front in Acton, California
August 30, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
Photo Gallery>>> |
Meteorologists predicted that hot, dry conditions
would continue without relent until at least Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Southern California Coast Air Quality
Management District (AQMD) reported that smoke and ash from the fire caused
unhealthy to hazardous air quality in the San Gabriel Mountains and the west San
Gabriel Valley.
"Very high concentrations of fine particulates are
occurring in areas of direct smoke," according to an AQMD statement.
The AQMD advised residents in smoke-affected areas to
avoid vigorous outdoor or indoor activity.
The fire, which broke out Wednesday afternoon, was
the largest of many burning around California.
The cause of fire was still under
investigation.
