1,200 homes under evacuation orders in northern Los Angeles County as wildfire grows

1,200 homes under evacuation orders in LA County

PALMDALE, Calif. — An out-of-control wildfire has burned through more than 7 square miles and forced hundreds of evacuations in the hills around Palmdale in northern Los Angeles County.

Fire Inspector Matt Levesque said about 1,200 homes in Leona Valley and parts of Palmdale are under mandatory evacuation orders Thursday evening.

KCAL-TV showed at least two structures fully engulfed in flames.

The blaze, burning north of State Route 14, jumped Elizabeth Lake Road in several places, sending firefighters and sheriffs deputies scattering.

Levesque says the fire is active on all flanks, and driven by heavy brush and dry brown grasses that burn easily.

Another fire south of State Route 14 in the hills that connect Los Angeles to the inland desert was contained at 350 acres.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

PALMDALE, Calif. (AP) — An out-of-control wildfire burning north of State Route 14 is closing in on homes in the hills around Palmdale in northern Los Angeles County.

Fire Inspector Matt Levesque said about 1,500 homes in Leona Valley are under evacuation orders as the fire grew to more than 3 square miles Thursday evening.

KCAL-TV showed at least one structure fully engulfed in flames.

The blaze jumped Elizabeth Lake Road in several places, sending firefighters and sheriffs deputies scattering.

Levesque says the fire is active on all flanks, and driven by heavy brush and dry brown grasses that burn easily.

Another fire south of State Route 14 in the hills that connect Los Angeles to the inland desert was contained at 350 acres.