(KTLA) — Strong winds and hot temperatures on Monday are expected to hinder efforts to contain a nearly 15,000-acre brush fire burning in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
The wildfire, dubbed the “Post Fire,” erupted near Gorman, just south of Lebec, shortly before 2 p.m. Saturday.
The blaze had charred at least 14,625 acres and was just 8% contained as of early Monday morning, Cal Fire posted on its website.
The flames engulfed the back of a McDonald’s parking lot off the 5 Freeway over the weekend, where a charred vehicle remained Monday morning. Several cars were also damaged when the flames spread to a nearby auto body shop.
“More than anything, the firefighters are challenged with the strong winds,” said Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Kenichi Haskett.
Wind gusts reached in excess of 50 miles per hour over the weekend, spreading embers more than a mile away, Haskett said.
Gusty winds and hot afternoon temperatures on Monday are expected to continue pushing the fire, which reached Ventura County Sunday evening.
Fire officials say one commercial property has been destroyed, and ten other structures are threatened. Fifty homes are also threatened, and evacuation orders and warnings are in place.
Evacuations are in place near Pyramid Lake, Gorman Post Road, the Hungry Valley SVRA recreation area and surrounding communities in the Grapevine area. Officials said over 1,200 people were evacuated.
Residents in the Castaic area were urged to be prepared with a “go bag,” Haskett said.
