By Carma Hassan
CNN
(CNN) — A wildfire blazing 35 miles north of Los Angeles has grown to 11,000 acres, prompting hundreds of mandatory and voluntary evacuations.
The Sand Fire in Santa Clarita started as a brush fire Friday afternoon and is 10% contained.
Fighting the fire is a challenge, said Nathan Judy, fire information officer with the Angeles National Forest, because of the rugged terrain and the 10 to 20 mph winds blowing the fire toward the populated part of the county.
“It’s hot right now, 85 degree temperatures and we are looking at getting into the hundreds today with no humidity,” Judy said. “The fire is burning in multiple different directions. To the east, it is burning more into the forest and uninhabited areas and to the west is our main concern because [the winds] might make it push down to the flat country. That’s where we have structures and residents.”
Judy said one structure has been destroyed so far, but had no details on whether it was a home or an outbuilding.
More than 300 firefighters are battling the fire and one firefighter suffered a minor hand injury Friday, Judy said.
Approximately 300 homes are under mandatory and voluntary evacuations and shelters have been established for residents and large animals.
“There is a large horse population out here, that’s why we have the large animal shelter available,” Judy said.
The Santa Clarita area is under a Red Flag Warning.
