Global Courant
The Los Angeles County Fire Department was working Sunday afternoon to contain a rapidly spreading wildfire in the Antelope Valley that had consumed nearly 1,300 acres, efforts complicated by high winds in the area.
The first fire crews were dispatched around 1:45 p.m. to fight the blaze, dubbed the Danny fire, centered on West Avenue D and North 130th Street, according to a report by KTLA TV.
In a tweet at about 3:40 p.m., the Los Angeles Fire Department said it had sent one of its helicopters to help with containment efforts. A message left for a spokesperson on duty was not immediately answered on Sunday afternoon.
KTLA reported wind gusts in excess of 20 miles per hour fanned flames northward toward Kern County.
The National Weather Service said in a warning it expected gusty winds in the area on Sunday night, blowing in a southerly and southwesterly direction. Even with a “cooling and wetting trend” towards the middle of the week, the forecast agency said “dry conditions are likely to continue through Tuesday.”
“There is a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening … between Monday and Wednesday,” the warning read. “As rain and thunderstorms approach or near the fire area, gusty and erratic outflow winds are possible.”
CBS reported that by 4:41 p.m. on Sunday, the fire had grown to nearly 1,300 acres.
The cause of the fire is not yet known and no injuries have been reported.
