Thread by @bri_sacks

A fast-moving wildfire is burning outside Castaic (northern edge of LA County). The #LakeFire has consumed over 10,000 acres, is 0% contained, and exhibiting "explosive fire behavior" due to a classic CA combo of parched canyons, low humidity, and dry fuel: @Angeles_NF

Nearly 500 homes are under evacuation orders—but many might not have a place to go. Red Cross, which normally sets up shelters, can't "because of COVID protocols," officials said

People are being told to sleep in their cars at nearby high schools and animal shelters. Unreal

.@RedCrossLA says that they've set up a temporary evacuation point but asking people to stay in their cars. If the #LakeFire continues to threaten homes, they will make sure evacuees have a place to stay overnight w/ covid safety protocols. More info: redcross.org/local/californ…

People on the ground are saying that they haven't seen a fire act like this since the Thomas Fire, which tore through Santa Barbara/Ventura counties in Dec. 2017 and became the second-largest blaze in CA history

https://twitter.com/vidcrane/status/1293754420207824901

Fire officials said that while we have challenging weather coming our way (excessive heat warning this weekend w/ 100+ temps expected), we aren't expecting strong winds, which help drive these wildfires and make them nearly impossible for firefighters to quickly get a handle on

Officials said there are about 500 firefighters on the #LakeFire. The Angeles National Forest's topography is tough: the blaze is moving up into canyons filled w/ fuel. This is what's considered "normal" for us later in fire season, like Sept/Oct...

https://twitter.com/LASDHQ/status/1293740304470650881

Re: residents evacuating disasters and running into shelter issues because of COVID-19, @RedCrossLA told me that the agency has "responded to this type of scenario more than 40 times (!!) nationwide so far"
#LakeFire

Fire officials said to expect the #LakeFire fire to continue to grow overnight. Experts have been marveling at its speed: the blaze jumped from 0 to 6,000 acres in less than 2 hrs. Two hours later, it had consumed more than 10,000

https://twitter.com/Weather_West/status/1293721837747056640

screengrabs from @KTLA

Another complicated part of compounding disasters: Red Cross is telling people not to donate items for those who might need/have lost things in the fire because of coronavirus concerns. Usually, makeshift evacuation shelters are greatly supported by donations and volunteers

Light rain falling right now!! 🙏🏻 for #LakeFire. Barely anything but anything helps

#LakeFire grew about 500 acres overnight, now at ~ 10,500 acres (*exhales slightly*)

some info about what’s fueling it: 6ft of Chaparral (shrubs, bushes, small trees)

2 feet of Brush

Timber (Grass)

fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020…

#LakeFire update:

—10,500 acres; 0% contained
— Several homes destroyed (reports of 3)
— 5,420 structures threatened
—100 homes under evacuation orders
—A federal team is joining—officials say this'll "be a major fire" for days
—Cooler temps helped, but preparing for heatwave

There are 1,000 fire personnel now on the #LakeFire, which officials said

Meanwhile, about 60 miles south in Azusa, another fast-moving wildfire (the #ranchfire) has consumed around 500 acres in three hours and prompted evacuations abc7.com/live-azusa-fir…

#LakeFire update:
Looking 🤞🏻
—11,000 acres
—12% containment
—3 homes destroyed (most likely there are more)
—5,420 structures still threatened
—Fire officials are bracing for near-critical fire weather today: "Gusty onshore winds could combine with warm and dry conditions"

Also some good news for the #Ranch2Fire, 60 miles south in the hills of Azusa:

Although it's at about 3,000 acres and 0% contained, it's moved away from foothill neighborhoods and back into Angeles National Forest.

Evacuees are returning home

https://twitter.com/Angeles_NF/status/1294104440178266112