Southern California is grappling with a significant wildfire, dubbed the Post Fire, which has scorched over 12,000 acres of land and forced the evacuation of more than 1,200 residents. The blaze ignited on Saturday near Gorman, approximately 62 miles northwest of Los Angeles, and has since spread into the Los Padres National Forest. As of Sunday afternoon, the fire was only 2% contained, with firefighters from various departments and over 400 personnel working tirelessly to control the flames. Evacuation orders have been issued for the Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area and the surrounding regions, including areas south of Pyramid Lake. Two commercial buildings have sustained damage, and a group of hikers was rescued from the fire zone. The National Weather Service has issued a red alert for Los Angeles County due to strong winds exacerbating the fire’s spread and the fire’s advancement is expected to be particularly challenging after 8 p.m. due to the wind conditions. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and no fatalities or injuries have been reported thus far. California’s wildfire season is off to an aggressive start, with acreage burned thus far surpassing the average for the same period over the past five years.
Key points
- The Post Fire has consumed over 12,000 acres in Southern California, with only 2% containment.
- Evacuations have been ordered for over 1,200 people as the wildfire threatens areas near Gorman and Pyramid Lake.
- Strong winds pose a significant challenge to firefighting efforts, with a red alert issued by the National Weather Service.
