As of last night, no deaths or injuries were reported except one injury of a fireman
As of last night, no deaths or injuries were reported except one injury of a fireman
An out-of-control wildfire is eating up thousands of acres of land outside of Los Angeles and hundreds of firefighters are still battling the raging flames by land and air.

The quick moving Sand Fire broke out Friday about 2pm on northbound 14 Freeway in Santa Clarita, also known as Antelope Valley Freeway, 40 miles north of Los Angeles.

The fire has so far claimed over 3,300 acres, according to the fire department. There have been no deaths reported thus far and only one injury, that of a fireman.

The fire is being battled by four water-dropping helicopters and two fixed-wing firefighting aircraft were also called in to attack the blaze. Cal Fire and the U.S. Forest Service were also assisting in the firefight, according to NBC Los Angeles.

The blaze is being fueled by a heat wave with temperatures reaching between 108 and 112 degrees Fahrenheit and wind gusts of up to 40 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service.




Wildlife Waystation in Sylmar, home of more than 400 rescued exotic animals, including lions and tigers. It was evacuating on Friday
Wildlife Waystation in Sylmar, home of more than 400 rescued exotic animals, including lions and tigers. It was evacuating on Friday

Mandatory evacuations were issued for hundreds of people, including 200 to 300 homes in Little Tujunga Canyon. At least 100 more were evacuated off Capra Road and Soledad Canyon, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Mandatory and voluntary evacuation was also ordered for Kagel Canyon but later rescinded.

Hundreds more in the area have been asked to voluntarily evacuate.

Wildlife Waystation in Sylmar, home of more than 400 rescued exotic animals, including lions and tigers, was in the process of evacuating Friday night, and asking for volunteers with trailers to help clear out the animals.

The sanctuary had lost power due to power lines being burned and pictures of the fire raging close by were posted to the group's Facebook wall.

Smoke from the fire was visible from downtown Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department Public Information Desk's Twitter account said last night that the fire was at zero percent containment and as of today had not updated that figure.

As of last night, no structures were reported destroyed. Freeway 14 remained open but some lanes and many nearby roads were closed.