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NEWS

A large fire ravages more than 400 hectares in the Angeles National Forest and nearby residents are evacuated

Updated

A fierce fire declared in the state of California has already burned more than 400 hectares of forest land in a difficult-to-access area. The blaze, officially named the Bouquet Fire, broke out on Saturday, October 3, around 14:30 local time (21:30 GMT)

The fire has already scorched more than 400 hectares.
The fire has already scorched more than 400 hectares.AP

The initial focus was located near Bouquet Canyon Road and Quarry Road, within the protected territory of the Angeles National Forest. This natural area is located in the mountains near the town of Santa Clarita, a municipality about 48 kilometers (30 miles) north of downtown Los Angeles.

The rapid spread of the flames has been influenced by the rugged terrain of the area, making direct extinguishing efforts challenging. Given the speed at which the fire front was expanding, emergency services immediately activated a firefighting operation involving ground forces and aerial resources. Aerial images from the scene showed dense, thick columns of smoke rising over the mountain ridges dominated by the flames. Firefighting helicopters are continuously performing water drops to contain the most critical points of the fire.

The fire's progression and the imminent risk to nearby homes have led local authorities to take drastic civil protection measures. Due to the rapid advance of the flames through the forested area, mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for residents in the surrounding areas. Security forces have urged citizens to leave their homes while firefighters work to prevent the fire from reaching populated areas.

The operation deployed in the Angeles National Forest prioritizes halting the fire's spread in a complex mountainous environment. Aerial and ground crews are tirelessly working to gain control over this fire that has already affected over 1,000 acres of forest land. The situation is rapidly evolving near Santa Clarita, as authorities oversee the evacuated area and coordinate the resources mobilized from the air and ground.