Wildfire burning near Los Angeles explodes to 11,000 acres, forces evacuations of Hungry Valley Park

Wildfire burning near Los Angeles explodes to 11,000 acres, forces evacuations of Hungry Valley Park

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Firefighters continue to battle the Post Fire near Gorman, California on Sunday after the fire started less than 24 hours ago and has consumed 11,000 acres. 

GORMAN, Calif. – A wind-driven wildfire burning uncontrolled north of Los Angeles is creating unhealthy air quality throughout Southern California after exploding in size to 11,000 acres within 24 hours. 

The Post Fire started Saturday at 1:47 p.m. in Gorman, California, on Gorman Road and continues to burn uncontrolled in Los Angeles County and near Ventura County. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. 

Fire departments from Los Angeles and Ventura counties and U.S. Forest Service firefighters are battling the fire, which has destroyed at least two structures so far. 

Post Fire perimeter statistics

The latest information on the Post Fire burning in California on June 16, 2024. 

(FOX Weather)

After growing to 4,400 acres on Saturday night with no containment, the fire exploded overnight, increasing to more than 11,000 acres by Sunday morning.

Officials have issued evacuation orders west of Interstate 5 between Pyramid Lake and Gorman, which includes Hungry Valley Park. 

The fire is pushing toward Hungry Valley Park, prompting the California State Park Service to evacuate about 1,200 people from the park, which is popular for all-terrain vehicles, dune buggies and dirt bikes. Pyramid Lake is also closed because of the fire.

  • The Post Fire burns through the Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area in Lebec, California, on June 15, 2024.

    The Post Fire burns through the Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area in Lebec, California, on June 15, 2024.  (Photo by DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images) ( )

  • The Post Fire burns through the Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area in Lebec, California, on June 15, 2024.

    The Post Fire burns through the Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area in Lebec, California, on June 15, 2024. (Photo by DAVID SWANSON / AFP) (Photo by DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images) ( )

  • Flames from the Post Fire burning in Gorman, California as seen from Orwin Road.

    Flames from the Post Fire burning in Gorman, California as seen from Orwin Road.  (@NINEEEv / X)

  • Smoke from the Post Fire seen from Ralph’s Road overpass in Gorman, California. The fire outside of Los Angeles, California has burned more than 11,000 acres.

    Smoke from the Post Fire seen from Ralph’s Road overpass in Gorman, California. The fire outside of Los Angeles, California has burned more than 11,000 acres.  (CaLandBird/X)

  • Firefighters from the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) and other firemen respond to the Post Fire as it burns through the Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area in Lebec, California, on June 16, 2024.

    Firefighters from the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) and other firemen respond to the Post Fire as it burns through the Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area in Lebec, California, on June 16, 2024. (Photo by DAVID SWANSON / AFP) (Photo by DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images) ( )

  • The Post Fire burns through the Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area in Lebec, California, on June 15, 2024.

    The Post Fire burns through the Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area in Lebec, California, on June 15, 2024. The fire has grown to 4,400 acres, with evacuation orders in place for Gorman, Pyramid Lake and Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area, according to the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service at Los Padres National Forest. (Photo by DAVID SWANSON / AFP) (Photo by DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images) ( )

An evacuation warning has been issued for areas south of Pyramid Lake between Old Ridge Route and the Los Angeles County line, including Paradise Ranch Estates. These residents should be prepared to leave. 

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Firefighters face challenging conditions as winds are expected to increase later on Sunday night, blowing at 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. 

Wind alerts for Southern California through Sunday night.

Wind alerts for Southern California through Sunday night. 

(FOX Weather)

The National Weather Service in Los Angeles warned of dangerous fire conditions through early this week.

A High Wind Warning is in place for southern Ventura County. Northwesterly wind gusts could reach 65 mph along the Interstate 5 corridor in the Ventura County mountains and Western Antelope Valley foothills. 

Wildfires create unhealthy air

An air quality alert is in effect through Sunday evening because of fine particle pollution from the wildfire smoke.

California air quality alerts through Sunday evening.

California air quality alerts through Sunday evening. 

(FOX Weather)

People in the Santa Clarita Valley, Interstate 5 corridor, San Gabriel Mountains and Highway 14 corridor are advised to limit their time outdoors.

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According to the AirNow.gov map, air quality degraded to “unhealthy for sensitive groups” across Santa Clarita, Simi Valley and near the San Gabriel Mountains on Sunday.