Strong winds and hot temperatures on Monday hindered fire crews as they worked to contain a rapidly growing wildfire near Lebec in northern Los Angeles County.
The wildfire, dubbed the Post Fire, erupted near Gorman, just south of Lebec, shortly before 2 p.m. Saturday.
The blaze had charred at least 15,610 acres and was 20% contained as of Monday evening, Cal Fire posted on social media.
The flames engulfed the back of a McDonald’s parking lot off the 5 Freeway over the weekend, where a charred vehicle remained Monday morning. Several cars were also damaged when the flames spread to a nearby auto body shop.
“More than anything, the firefighters are challenged with the strong winds,” said Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Kenichi Haskett.
Haskett said wind gusts reached in excess of 50 miles per hour over the weekend, spreading embers more than a mile away.
Fire officials say one commercial property has been destroyed, and ten other structures are threatened. Dozens of homes were threatened, and evacuation warnings were issued for areas south of Pyramid Lake, west of Interstate 5 and north of the Templin Highway.
“The California State Park Services have evacuated 1,200 people from Hungry Valley Park, and Pyramid Lake is closed due to the threat from the Post Fire,” Cal Fire said.
“Anyone in the area, including Oak Flats Campground, should LEAVE NOW,” the city of Santa Clarita warned on social media.
Officials said over 1,200 people were evacuated. Haskett said residents in the Castaic area were urged to be prepared with a “go bag.”
Cal Fire said more than 1,100 fire personnel were involved in the battle with the help of 7 helicopters.
The cause of the remains under investigation.