One killed in Los Angeles wildfire

Two wildfires driven by strong winds threatened neighbourhoods near Los Angeles today, killing one person, destroying several dozen mobile homes and forcing evacuations.

Firefighters were struggling with a 3,700-acre blaze in the San Fernando Valley’s north-eastern corner when a new blaze erupted a few miles to the west in mountains above the Porter Ranch area and quickly grew to 750 acres.

The death was at the first fire, where neighbourhoods abut rugged canyonlands below the mountainous Angeles National forest.

Officials said the victim was a man who appeared to be a traveller living in a makeshift shelter.