(CNN) — A fire in Los Angeles County that forced the evacuation of hundreds of people from a state park has burned nearly 4,500 hectares, authorities said Sunday, just a day after it started.
The National Weather Service in Los Angeles warned that wind gusts could reach between 100 and 110 km/h this Sunday night, creating conditions that could fan the flames of the so-called Post Fire. A red flag warning was issued for the I-5 corridor in Los Angeles County and the mountains of Ventura County until 5 p.m. Monday.
A growing California wildfire spanning more than 10,000 acres is forcing residents to evacuate.
The wildfire started Saturday afternoon in Gorman, an unincorporated community in northwest Los Angeles County. According to Cal Fire, the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Firefighters respond to the Post Fire as it burns through the Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area in Lebec, California, on Sunday. Credit: David Swanson/AFP/Getty Images
California State Park Services evacuated 1,200 people from Hungry Valley Park, Cal Fire reported. According to the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the fire was 0% controlled and had damaged two commercial premises as of Saturday afternoon.
Evacuation orders are in effect for areas west of Interstate 5 between Pyramid Lake and Gorman, and evacuation warnings are in effect for areas south of Pyramid Lake between Old Ridge Route and the Los Angeles County line .
Crews are working to contain the fire and “aircraft are working to stop the advance, but have limited visibility,” according to the fire department.
Firefighters work against the advance of the Post Fire on Saturday, June 15, 2024, in Gorman, California. Credit: Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP
Pyramid Lake is also closed due to the threat posed by the fire, the fire department reported.
The affected area is expected to experience slightly warmer temperatures and lower humidity for the remainder of the weekend, fire officials said. Winds are expected to increase in the afternoon with gusts of up to 48 km/h, with strongest winds on ridge crests exceeding 80 km/h.
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