Authorities urge thousands to flee 'Mountain Fire' near Los Angeles

Authorities on Thursday urged thousands of people to flee a wildfire near Los Angeles that has destroyed scores of homes and cut power to tens of thousands of households. Firefighters said they are expecting the winds to subside across the region, giving hope that the "Mountain Fire" may die down in coming days.

Thousands of people were urged to flee an out-of-control wildfire burning around communities near Los Angeles on Thursday, with scores of homes already lost to the fast-moving flames.

Fierce seasonal winds had cast embers up to three miles (five kilometers) from the seat of the fire around Camarillo, with new spots burning on hillsides, farmland and in residential areas.

The Mountain Fire grew rapidly from a standing start early Wednesday, and by the following day had consumed 20,485 acres (8,290 hectares), with towering flames leaping unpredictably and sending residents scrambling.

The fire was only five percent contained as of Thursday evening, authorities said, although wind patterns were expected to favor firefighters through the night.

"We've been up all night watching this. I haven't slept," Erica Preciado told one local broadcaster as she drove her family out of the danger zone.

"We're just trying to get a safe place. I didn't even know what to take. I just have everything in my car," she said, gesturing tearfully to her packed vehicle.

Authorities said that based on initial inspections, at least 132 homes had been completely destroyed, with 88 more damaged by the fires.

One man told broadcaster KTLA he and his family had fled their home of 27 years, finding out later that it had been destroyed.

(AFP)

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