The "Hurst Fire," which ignited late Tuesday night in the Sylmar area, has rapidly spread across 850 acres, prompting evacuations and emergency responses from local authorities.
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The fire, which began around 10:30 p.m. at Yarnell Street, quickly escalated, forcing officials to issue mandatory evacuation orders for areas north of the 210 Freeway.
The Los Angeles Fire Department has also opened several evacuation centers in nearby neighborhoods, including Pacoima, Northridge and Panorama City, to shelter residents displaced by the blaze.
"We have mandatory evacuation orders in place north of the 210, from Olive View Hospital — which is not part of the evacuation, that's the eastern border — to the 5 and 14 split," said LAFD spokesperson Margaret Stewart. "So that whole area north of it, like the Oak Ridge Mobile Home Park area, Silver Springs, that's all under mandatory evacuation."
Evacuation warnings were also in effect for areas of Santa Clarita, along Calgrove Boulevard and the Newhall Pass, Wildwood and Eternal Valley, according to Cal Fire.
The 210 Freeway was temporarily closed between Roxford and the 5 Freeway Wednesday, but eastbound lanes and mainline westbound lanes were reopened Wednesday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol. The connector to the southbound Golden State Freeway was closed, along with a stretch of the 14 Freeway and the Roxford Street off-ramp of the northbound Golden State Freeway.
As the fire continues to burn, authorities are urging residents in affected areas to stay informed and take necessary precautions.
"We need them to have go bags prepared, vehicles in the driveway facing out, any medications you need, have a communication plan for your family, and be prepared," Stewart said.
Firefighters are working to contain the blaze, but conditions remain challenging as the fire spreads across rugged terrain.
Several other fires are also raging across the Los Angeles area, including the Woodley Fire, Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire, which is threatening numerous homes in Pasadena and Altadena.
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