Wildfire rages near Los Angeles

Sizzling heat is hindering firefighters' efforts

A big wildfire fanned by shifting winds has prompted an evacuation of hundreds of people in northern Los Angeles County, US officials say.

More than 600 homes near Santa Clarita were at risk as the fire grew to more than 4,200 acres (1,680 hectares), the county's fire department said.

Some 1,000 firefighters tried to contain the blaze about 20 miles (32km) north-west of Los Angeles.

California has been hit by a series of fires over the past week.

The blazes left more than 40,000 acres charred across the state.

Arson investigation

Shifting winds forced officials to re-order the evacuation in Placerita and Sand Canyon areas, a day after residents there had been allowed to return to their homes.

"With the winds changing, that's created a situation that's not favourable for our firefighting efforts," county fire department spokesman Captain Mike Brown was quoted as saying by the Los Angeles Daily News newspaper.

Sizzling heat of about 90F (32C) also hindered the firefighters' efforts, officials said.

In some places, residents were battling the raging fire virtually from their back gardens, correspondents say.

An evacuation centre was set up in Santa Clarita for hundreds of families forced to leave their homes, although there were no reports of casualties.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known, but authorities launched an investigation into a possible arson attack.

Have you been affected? Send us your comments.

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Your comments.

We suddenly saw a huge plume of smoke go up in the distance Susanna Luck, Santa Clarita, USA

The fire started just over the ridge from our home, fortunately on the other side of the 14 freeway, which acted as a firebreak for most of Saturday. The air was a strange Armageddon-like orange colour and one of our neighbours came over to see if we were packing up our valuables yet (we weren't). On Sunday morning the fire was moving away from us and seemed less of a threat so my husband and I went to see friends at Redondo Beach, mostly to get away from the smoke and ash, which is everywhere, the ash piling up in little drifts like snow. While we were sitting on the beach, which is a good 45 miles away we suddenly saw a huge plume of smoke go up in the distance and knew it had to be the fire again.
Susanna Luck, Santa Clarita, USA

Intermittent heavy smoke from the Santa Clarita fire over the weekend depending on wind direction, though we're too far away - 35 miles - to be affected by the flames. The smoke contains an oil which coats the back of your throat - very uncomfortable. Hopefully no home will be lost near the fire areas. The firefighters do great work in California.
N. Dusablon, Palmdale, CA, USA

I think I may have seen the beginning of this fire, last week, as I was leaving the Los Angeles area for my home in the San Francisco Bay Area. As I drove north, on I5, out of the San Fernando Valley, towards Santa Clarita, I saw a huge plume of grey smoke above the mountains through which I'd have to pass on my way to the Central Valley. The fire appeared to be somewhat northeast of Santa Clarita, itself. I was a bit worried that there might be passage problems on the freeway. Many, many firetrucks from around the LA Basin passed my car as I drove through the Santa Clarita/ Magic Mountain area. One should remember that this is wildfire season, in Southern California. The fire is certainly far from ordinary.
Chris Edmonds, Walnut Creek, California

Lately, there have been many fires. Yesterday, I went to the Getty museum, and a huge fire (the one in the BBC news today), lit the distance. Two weeks ago, I was driving and I saw a different horrid fire, tearing up the mountainside. It's frightening to see all of the damage the fires are doing, to people's homes, and to the animals' homes.
Danica, Los Angeles, Ca, USA