Firefighters battle a brush fire they believe started at a Southern California homeless camp.
Footage of the fire shows large plumes of smoke billowing alongside a busy Los Angeles County freeway Thursday night.
Though dramatic in appearance, the fire, which spanned about four acres, posed no threat to any buildings. However, Interstates 605 and 105 were shut down, causing major traffic jams.
The fire comes as temperatures soar in LA, with some areas expected to hit triple digits this weekend.
California is also at the peak of its wildfire season, which meteorologists say has gotten longer over the years due to drier conditions and above-average temperatures brought on by climate change.
Firefighters battle a brush fire they believe started at a Southern California homeless camp
Firefighters believe the inferno started around 6 p.m. local time Thursday in Norwalk along the San Gabriel River where the two freeways converge.
Initial reports indicated the fire started on the side of the freeway near a possible homeless encampment, county dispatchers told the Los Angeles Times.
At least six fire engines responded to the fire, which had grown to about four acres by 6:48 p.m. The crews were seen spraying water on the fire.
Firefighters faced “tough” challenges trying to put out the blaze due to its roadside location, CBS Los Angeles reported. The officials essentially limited themselves to the water supply to the trucks.
The scene was still active as of 8 p.m. but the fire was continuing, the dispatch said. Plumes of smoke could be smelled as close as Fullerton, La Mirada and Brea.
The California Highway Patrol issued an alert at 8:11 p.m. notifying residents that several portions of the freeway would be closed for at least two hours. It is unclear whether the roads have since been reopened.
At least six fire engines responded to the fire, which had grown to about four acres by 6:48 p.m. The crews were seen spraying water on the fire
The scene was still active as of 8 p.m. but the fire was continuing, the dispatch said. Plumes of smoke could be smelled as close as Fullerton, La Mirada and Brea. Officials are closing portions of I-105 and I-605
A driver in Norwalk, California, photographed seeing the bushfire burning in front of him
Thursday’s fire comes as California continues to battle the 1,000-acre McKinney Fire, the state’s deadliest and largest wildfire of the year.
The fire broke out in Northern California’s Klamath National Forest on July 29, forcing thousands to evacuate.
More than 3,000 firefighters were assigned to the blaze, which was 80 percent contained as of Thursday.
The cause of the massive inferno remains under investigation, Cal Fire reported.
The McKinney Fire killed four people, injured seven and destroyed 185 homes and businesses. A portion of Highway 96 remains closed due to the fire.
The Karuk Tribe Department of Natural Resources also claimed that the fire killed tens of thousands of fish along a 20-mile stretch of the Klamath River.
Officials say the fish died after a debris flow lowered oxygen levels in the river.
Thursday’s fire comes as California continues to battle the 1,000-acre McKinney Fire, the state’s deadliest and largest wildfire of the year. The McKinney fire is pictured on July 31st
The fire broke out in Northern California’s Klamath National Forest on July 29, forcing thousands to evacuate. As of Thursday, the McKinney fire is 80 percent contained. Damage from the fire is pictured on August 3rd
Dead fish found on August 6 along a 20-mile stretch of the Klamath River in Northern California between Indian Creek and Seiad Creek. Officials say the McKinney Fire burning in the area has killed tens of thousands of fish
California’s peak fire season lasts from July through October, when the state experiences a drier climate.
The summer months see the busiest fires, likely due to extreme heat, but officials say these fires do less damage overall when accounting for the acres burned.
Cal Fire claims September and October are the most vulnerable months for California wildfires, which are fueled by hot summers and little rainfall, resulting in dried vegetation. These types of infernos have proven to be the most destructive.
Meanwhile, temperatures are rising in LA County, which isn’t good for the area’s vegetation.
The National Weather Service, which forecast triple-digit temperatures for the coming weekend, warned that valleys, mountains and deserts will take the brunt of the extreme heat.
The McKinney Fire killed four people, injured seven and destroyed 185 homes and businesses. Fire damage is seen on August 4th
California’s peak fire season lasts from July through October, when the state experiences a drier climate. A fire broke out in northwest Los Angeles on Wednesday. It stretched over almost 150 hectares
Water droplets were used to douse much of the firenado’s flames, but footage showed a large amount of smoke billowing over the area
“The warmest temperatures will likely be over in Antelope Valley,” meteorologist Roobie Munroe told the Times earlier this week. “Getting into the 103-105 degree range, which is possibly the peak of the heat.”
The forecast is typical for this time of year and officials have not yet issued an excessive heat warning.
Munroe noted that meteorologists expect the area will soon see monsoon humidity, which can dampen the heat and reduce the risk of wildfires.
“Obviously we need rain,” he said. “If we’re talking about weeks of temperatures well above normal, that’s going to have a big impact on the drought. It’s going to be really important to see how we do this coming rainy season.’