Body found in Los Angeles wildfire

A burned body has been found at the scene of a wildfire north of Los Angeles that has scorched 31 square miles and prompted the evacuation of 1,500 homes, authorities said.

The body was discovered outside a burned home on Iron Canyon Road in Santa Clarita, and detectives are trying to determine whether the person was killed by the blaze or another cause, said Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt Rob Hahnlein.

The area was one of several areas ordered to be evacuated as the fire raged through bone-dry canyons and ranchlands.

The fire burned through the area on Saturday evening. Firefighters reported that some buildings had been engulfed, but it was not immediately clear whether they were homes, outbuildings or garages, said Nathan Judy, a spokesman for the US Fire Service.

The area was still unsafe because of smouldering debris and trees that might fall because their roots had burned, Mr Judy said.

The fire was only 10% contained on Saturday night as it burned on the edge of Santa Clarita and into the Angeles National Forest and showed no sign of calming.

More than 900 firefighters and water-dropping helicopters were being drafted in to battle the flames.