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Hundreds of firefighters battle wildfire in L.A. County

Xinhua,December 06, 2017 Adjust font size:

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of U.S. firefighters were battling to save homes Tuesday morning as a dynamic brush fire being driven by strong winds exploded to at least 4,000 acres in hours in the Kagel Canyon area, Los Angeles County.

The fast moving brush fire, dubbed the Creek Fire, was reported around 4:00 a.m. local time. Firefighters from Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD) and the U.S. Forest Service were on the scene, being supported by water-dropping helicopters.

"Over 240 LAFD (alone plus all unified agencies) working relentlessly to battle both on ground and by air. Thus far, their dedicated efforts have prevented the loss of life," said LAFD on its official website.

Some 105 patients were being voluntarily evacuated from Mountain View Convalescent Center on Fenton Ave in Sylmar, said LAFD, noting that they had no reported injuries from any civilians.

An unknown number of homes were destroyed by the blaze, according to LAFD.

Mandatory evacuations were ordered in Kagel Canyon and some other nearby areas. Enditem