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)
