Sand Fire Burns Through More Than 5,000 Acres In California

A wildfire in California which began on Friday afternoon quickly expanded to scorch at least 5,500 acres as firefighters worked to contain it. Hundreds of homes were placed under mandatory evacuation, but no injuries or property damage have been reported. Screen capture/KCAL/AOL

SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 23 (UPI) — Hundreds of firefighters in California are continuing attempts to contain a massive wildfire, dubbed the Sand Fire, which has burned through thousands of acres since Friday afternoon.

According to the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the initial blaze was reported at 2:11 p.m. on Friday near Highway 14 and Sand Canyon Rd. and has since scorched at least 5,500 acres.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department Air Operations Section shared video of the fire citing high temperatures, low humidity, increased wind for its rapid growth.

More than 300 firefighters from Los Angeles County Fire and the Forest Service are in “Unified Command” and engaged in the fight, but the fire is not contained.

The fire department announced that about 200-300 homes in the Tujunga were placed under mandatory evacuation and shared information about several road closures on its Twitter page.

Animal refuge Wildlife Waystation shared a Facebook post seeking the help of residents with trailers to help evacuate more than 400 animals.

According to KABC, no injuries or damage to property has been reported as a result of the fire.

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