The Saddleridge fire flares up near a firefighter in Sylmar, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019. (Photo: Michael Owen Baker/AP)
A wildfire fueled by Santa Ana winds has closed two freeways, is threatening homes and has forced evacuations around Los Angeles.
Fire officials say the Saddleridge fire had consumed more than 4,600 acres by Friday morning.
It broke out after 9 p.m. Thursday along the 210 Freeway and jumped the highway. Flames also crossed the 5 Freeway. The highways were closed because of heavy smoke. Authorities have ordered mandatory evacuations in the Granada Hills, Porter Ranch and Oakridge Estates neighborhoods.
Several homes were seen burning in Granada Hills, and the LA fire department said an "unknown number" of homes were potentially threatened.There were no reports of injuries.
The blaze comes as hot, dry winds are raising concerns that the region's largest utility could widen power shutoffs to prevent its equipment from sparking wildfires. Hot, dry winds sweeping into Southern California raised concerns that the region's largest utility could widen power shutoffs Friday to prevent its equipment from sparking wildfires.
Southern California Edison turned off electricity to about 20,000 people but warned that thousands more could lose service as Santa Ana winds gained strength.
Meanwhile Winds gusted dangerously as forecast in Northern California before weather conditions eased and the lights started to come back on. Planned blackouts affected millions and Pacific Gas & Electric faced hostility and second-guessing for its widespread shutoffs.
Over 500,000 PG&E customers were still waiting for power to come back on as of Thursday night. (AP)
Firefighters recoil from smoke and heat from a fully engulfed house on Jolette Way in Granada Hills North, Calif., early Friday morning, Oct. 11, 2019. (Photo: David Crane/The Orange County Register via AP)
A helicopter drops water on a brushfire in the Santa Monica Mountains in Newbury Park, Calif., Oct. 10, 2019. (Photo: Michael Owen Baker/AP)
In this Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 photo, a firefighter waits for water as the Saddleridge fire flares up near homes in Sylmar, Calif. (Photo: Michael Owen Baker/AP)
Firefighters try to protect surrounding homes as they battle the Sandalwood Fire in the Villa Calimesa Mobile Home Park in Calimesa, Calif., on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019. Burning trash dumped along a road sparked a wildfire Thursday that high winds quickly pushed across a field of dry grass and into a Southern California mobile home park, destroying dozens of residences. (Photo: Jennifer Cappuccio Maher/The Orange County Register/SCNG via AP)
In this Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 photo, firefighters work on a hose nozzle as the Saddleridge fire burns nears homes in Sylmar, Calif. (Photo: Michael Owen Baker/AP)
In this Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 photo, Los Angeles City firefighters battle the Saddleridge fire near homes in Sylmar, Calif. (Photo: Michael Owen Baker/AP)
In this Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 photo, firefighters check on homes in smoke from the Saddleridge fire in Sylmar, Calif. (Photo: Michael Owen Baker/AP)
In this Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 photo, a firefighter monitors the Saddleridge fire near homes in Sylmar, Calif. (Photo: Michael Owen Baker/AP)
Firefighters battle the Sandalwood Fire as it destroys homes in the Villa Calimesa Mobile Home Park in Calimesa, Calif., on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019. Burning trash dumped along a road sparked a wildfire Thursday that high winds quickly pushed across a field of dry grass and into a Southern California mobile home park, destroying dozens of residences. (Photo: Jennifer Cappuccio Maher/The Orange County Register/SCNG via AP)
In this Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 photo, embers from the Saddleridge fire blow by firefighters in Sylmar, Calif. (Photo: Michael Owen Baker/AP)
The Saddleridge fire advances into Granada Hills, Calif., Friday, Oct. 11, 2019. (Photo: Michael Owen Baker/AP)
The Saddleridge fire burns to the end of Sesnon Boulevard in Granada Hills, Calif., Friday, Oct. 11, 2019. (Photo: Michael Owen Baker/AP)
A woman evacuates her home with her cat as the Saddleridge fire threatens homes in Granada Hills, Calif., Friday, Oct. 11, 2019. (Photo: Michael Owen Baker/AP)
Jerry Rowe uses a garden hose to save his home on Beaufait Avenue from the Saddleridge fire in Granada Hills, Calif., Friday, Oct. 11, 2019. (Photo: Michael Owen Baker/AP)
Jerry Rowe uses a garden hose to save his home on Beaufait Avenue from the Saddleridge fire in Granada Hills, Calif., Friday, Oct. 11, 2019. (Photo: Michael Owen Baker/AP)
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore tells resident Jerry Rowe that firefighters are coming after the roof of Rowe's home caught fire from the Saddleridge fire in Granada Hills, Calif., Friday, Oct. 11, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Owen Baker)
Firefighters refill their truck with water along Sesnon Boulevard early Friday morning, Oct. 11, 2019, as flames burn on the hills in Granada Hills, Calif. (Photo: David Crane/The Orange County Register via AP)
Flames shoot out from the front of a house on Jolette Way in Granada Hills North, Calif., early Friday morning, Oct. 11, 2019. (Photo: David Crane/The Orange County Register via AP)
Flames from a wildfire burn along the hills north of Sesnon Boulevard, Friday morning, Oct. 11, 2019, in Porter Ranch, Calif. (Photo: David Crane/The Orange County Register via AP)
NEW DELHI (Reuters) -India on Tuesday said it will fast-track emergency approvals for COVID-19 vaccines authorised by Western countries and Japan, paving the way for possible imports of Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and Moderna shots. The move, which will exempt companies from carrying out local safety trials for their vaccines, follows the world's biggest surge in cases in the country this month. Since April 2, India has reported the highest daily tallies of infections.
Global stock markets pushed to record highs on Wednesday as bond yields eased, after data showed U.S. inflation was not rising too fast as the economy re-opens. With fears receding for now that a strong inflation reading might endanger the Federal Reserve's accommodative stance, European shares opened 0.1% higher. Gains were capped after Johnson & Johnson said it would delay rolling out its COVID-19 vaccine to Europe, after U.S. health agencies recommended pausing its use in the country after six women developed rare blood clots.
During a memorial service at the US Capitol Rotunda for Officer William Evans, President Joe Biden picked up a toy dropped by the officer’s daughter, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told his family that while “no words are adequate” to address their loss, “we hope it’s a comfort to you that so many now know about your dad and know he’s a hero”. “And that the President of the United States is picking up one of your distractions.” Officer Evans was killed outside the Capitol on 2 April after a driver struck two officers before slamming into a security barrier outside the Capitol, then exited the car with a knife, according to police.
For more than a decade Julian Edelman lived the ultimate NFL underdog story, going from undersized college quarterback to a favorite option of Tom Brady on three Patriots' Super Bowl-winning teams. Citing a knee injury that cut his 2020 season short after just six games, Edelman announced Monday that he is retiring from the NFL after 11 seasons. Earlier in the day, the Patriots terminated the contract of the Super Bowl 53 MVP after the receiver failed a physical.
China and South Korea, along with Japanese fishing unions and Weibo users, expressed concern that radioactive water could affect food safety and marine life in the Pacific Ocean.
