Fire crosses freeway with Santa Ana wind conditions.
UPDATED 8:17 a.m. Monday
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TRAFFIC ALERT: Two major freeways are closed due to the Marek fire in Lakeview Terrace: the 210 between the 5 and 118 and the 118 between the 5 and the 210 are closed for an unknown duration due to fire in the center divider and heavy smoke and embers blowing across the freeway.
All traffic on the 210 is being diverted off at McClay Street, but the CHP is closing onramps at Ocean View, La Crescenta, Pennsylvania, Honolulu/Lowell, La Tuna Canyon, Sunland and Wheatland will be closed for an unknown duration.
Mission College has been closed down.
The Marek fire has now burned more than 3,200 acres and containment, which was reported at 20 percent, is expected to be downgraded because of current wind conditions. The fire has been burning since 2 a.m. Sunday and started near a firing range in Little Tujunga Canyon. Fire officials have called the origin “suspicious.”
The fire is on the west side of Little Tujunga Canyon and has moved from the Angeles National Forest into Los Angeles city. Two homes and three outbuildings were destroyed by the fire Sunday and television news photos Monday showed other structures and a mobile home park burning.
The fire flared around 4 a.m. when winds kicked up. One minor injury has been reported.
More than 1,000 multi-agency personnel are fighting the fire.
More than 1,200 residences in the area of Lopez and Kagel Canyons have been evacuated and evacuation areas are spreading to include the west side of Lopez Canyon to Hubbard St. An evacuation center has been established at San Fernando High School.
The LA County Fire Department has asked people looking for information to call their general number – (323) 881-2413 – for information on evacuations, returns for residents and the status of the fire.
Listen to KHTS AM-1220 for updates, which will be posted as they become available.
