California wildfires: Massive fire nearly QUADRUPLES in size to 110 square miles
RAPIDLY-SPREADING wildfires in California have sent families fleeing their homes, with celebrity hangout Malibu the latest area to be evacuated - here is what you need to know.
California: At least 15 homes burned in Woolsey fire
Three fires across northern and southern California have scorched thousands of acres fanned by strong Santa Ana winds. Residents in affluent Malibu are the latest to be at risk from scalding flames caused by the Woolsey Fire, spreading southwards from Los Angeles. The trendy beach resort has about 13,000 residents and 21 miles of gorgeous coastline.
The Woolsey blaze shut down 101 Freeway after causing the evacuations of 75,000 homes in parts of Thousands Oaks in northwest Los Angeles, the site of a shooting massacre by a former US marine this week.
Thousands Oaks lies about a 30-minute drive away from the north end of Malibu.
Mandatory evacuations are in placed for various parts of Los Angeles County as the fire spreads towards the Santa Monica Mountains.
Where are the other fires?
A separate massive blaze raging in Northern California since Thursday morning has nearly quadrupled in size overnight, according to one Californian fire official.
Captain Scott McLean, from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, said the Camp Fire had grown to nearly 110 square miles after devouring the town of Paradise.
He said: “The town is devastated, everything is destroyed. There's nothing much left standing.
“This fire moved so fast and grew so fast a lot of people got caught by it."
The fire chief said it could be days before authorities knows if there have been any fatalities.
Desperate residents fled their homes armed with pets and children to escape the burning flames.
Camp Fire has already reached Chico, home to 90,000 people, about 20 miles of west of Paradise and 90 miles north of Sacramento.
A separate blaze, Hill Fire, had also devastated 10,000 acres by Thursday night, fire officials said.
Why are the fires spreading so fast?
California’s Santa Ana winds have stoked the fires, causing the Woolsley blaze to double in size to 8,000 acres, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
LA County Fire tweeted: “Fire has jumped the 101 fwy near Chesebro and is headed to Ocean Mandatory Evacuations, 101 Fwy to the coast between Las Virgenes Cyn /Malibu Cyn Rd. to the LA County line. Imminent threat! Malibu lakes residents must leave area immediately.”
NWS said wind guests of 50 to 70mph were expected to lash the mountains in Ventura County.
And up to 50 mph were expected to spread in the the county’s valleys and coastal areas below.
Evacuation orders are in effect for Paradise, Magalia, Concow, Butte Creek Canyon and Butte Valley.