LAKE HUGHES, California: Lake Fire burns nearly 18K acres after 100+ lightning strikes cause blaze to quickly spread
More than 1,500 firefighters in the Angeles National Forest on Saturday continued their efforts against the massive Lake Fire, which officials say has burned 17,862 acres after it was downgraded in size earlier in the day.
More than 100 lightning strikes fueled a massive wildfire in the Lake Hughes area of the Angeles National Forest Saturday as the blaze scorched nearly 28 square miles, officials said.
The size of the fire zone was initially reduced from 17,482 acres to 14,714 due to "improved infrared mapping of the fire perimeter," according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Several hours later, however, fire officials updated that number after over 100 lightning strikes caused spotting and fueled the flames.
The blaze was only 12% contained as it burned near Lake Hughes amid an extreme heat wave.
Fire officials said 21 buildings had been destroyed, including at least five homes, and more than 5,400 residences were threatened.
Evacuations remained in effect for the following areas: Lake Hughes Road West of Pine Canyon and north of Dry Gulch Road, east of Ridge Route Road, west of Lake Hughes Road and Fire Station 78, north of Pine Canyon and Lake Hughes Road, and south of SR-138.
An evacuation site was established at Highland High School, at 39055 25th St. W in Palmdale, according to the American Red Cross.
As if firefighters at the scene did not have enough to contend with, several of them had to run to safety when a longhorn bull that was apparently escaping the blaze charged at them on Friday.
"Crews were clearing the road so the engines could get to a clearing when they were chased out" by a bull named Ferdinand, the Ventura County Fire Department said in the caption of a video that showed the encounter. No one was injured in that incident or the the fire itself.
Firefighters were struggling in steep, rugged terrain amid scorching temperatures. The National Weather Service warned temperatures could hit 111 degrees in the Antelope Valley Saturday, and winds gusting 15-20 mph was expected later in the afternoon.
The cause of the Lake Fire remains under investigation.
“Heat plays a huge factor in fire behavior. The fire stood up quite a bit and that was largely due to the slope and due to heat,” said Marc Peebles with the U.S. Forest Service. “The firefighters are working very hard out there but they are taking appropriate safety precautions, drinking lots of water and being methodical in their firefighting efforts.”
Crews will continue to work throughout Saturday night and into the morning to get the fire under control and try to prevent other buildings from damages.
A cause has not yet been determined for the Lake Fire, and no injuries were reported.
