A wildfire erupted near the outskirts of Sylmar, California by the Angeles National Forest on the night of Friday, November 14, 2008. By the next day, November 15, nearly 6,500 acres were involved in the fire.Los Angeles Times: S600 mobile homes destroyed; LAPD declares crime scene (November 15, 2008) By November 19, 85% of the fire had been contained.MyFox LA: Assistance Center For Sylmar Fire Victims to Open Thursday (November 19, 2008)
The cause of the fire is under investigation, but the LAFD has declared the Oakridge mobile home community a crime scene.Los Angeles Times: S600 mobile homes destroyed; LAPD declares crime scene (November 15, 2008) Over 600 mobile homes were destroyed at Oakridge in what fire officials called an "absolute firestorm."LAist: LAFD Captain Speaks of Sayre Fire's 'Total Devastation' (November 15, 2008)
Progress of the Fire
Three hours after the fire had started, the fast-moving fire covered 1,500 acres. Whipped by winds of near-hurricane force, the fire continued to grow throughout the night of November 14, 2008.CNN: Fire Drives more Californians Out of Their Homes (November 14, 2008)
By early afternoon on November 15, 2008, over 6,500 acres had been burned and over 10,000 people were affected by a mandatory evacuation. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency. Villaraigosa warned that flames may take down power lines causing "rolling blackouts" in the city.Reuters: Los Angeles fears blackouts as wildfire burns (November 15, 2008) Los Angeles Times: S600 mobile homes destroyed; LAPD declares crime scene (November 15, 2008)
Sylmar Fire Map
References
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Dubbed the "Sayre Fire" because it was first reported on Sayre Street in Sylmar
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