New orders to evacuate as fire flares up

A MASSIVE wildfire near Los Angeles flared up yesterday and a new evacuation order was issued for homes in a remote canyon.

Fifteen to 20 homes were ordered to be evacuated as winds pushed flames into Pacoima Canyon north-east of Los Angeles, said John Huschke of the US Forest Service. The canyon lies in a 8 kilometre gap in firelines that crews hope to close later in the day.

Elsewhere, crews made good progress overnight against the 567-square-kilometre fire that’s destroyed 64 homes. Authorities said it still threatens 12,000 homes.

Bulldozers carved fire breaks yesterday along the southeast flank of the blaze to keep flames away from thousands of foothill homes in Pasadena and four other communities.

Fire spokeswoman Jennifer Sanchez said the vegetation-clearing construction of containment lines is designed to keep flames in remote mountain areas above the cities.

“Dozer lines have been successful. The main focus is to keep the fire from homes near the cities,” Sanchez said.

Additionally, Sanchez said a firefighting force atop Mount Wilson managed to keep flames from reaching communications infrastructure and a historic observatory.

The wildfire, now in its eighth day, has burned 140,150 acres, destroyed 64 homes and left two firefighters dead. The blaze is 28% contained, or surrounded, with full containment expected by September 15.