A wildfire spread rapidly through Southern California on Sunday afternoon, triggering evacuation orders as firefighters worked to slow the flames.
The Bike Fire ignited near Golden Valley in Santa Clarita and had burned roughly 200 acres by 2:40 p.m., the Los Angeles County Fire Department reported.
Officials expanded the mandatory evacuation zone at 2:48 p.m., adding another area as the fire posed an immediate threat to life. Residents in affected neighborhoods were told to leave without delay.
Authorities were deploying aircraft to support ground crews battling the wildfire.
The cause of the blaze had not been determined.
Mandatory evacuation orders were widened at 2:48 p.m. with the addition of a new area. Residents inside the affected zones were urged to evacuate immediately because of the danger to life.
MORE ON THIS: Cornell Fraternity Student Tells Friends He’s Traveling to Thailand to ‘Find Himself’
The evacuation order applies to SCL-SULTUS, SCL-NADEU-A, SCL-SANDSOUTH-B and SCL-MACMILLAN. People in those areas were instructed to leave at once.
Evacuation warnings remain in place for SCL-NADEU-B, SCL-CRYSTALSPRINGS, SCL-WOODLAND, SCL-SANDSOUTH-A, SCL-FAIROAKSRANCH and LAC-E119-A.
Officials urged residents who may require additional time to get out, as well as people with pets or livestock, to evacuate now. Authorities continued issuing incident updates.
The fire erupted as Southern California faced a volatile weather pattern. Rain, strong winds and coastal flooding were affecting the region as moisture linked to former Tropical Cyclone Rachel moved across the area.
The National Weather Service said showers would continue, with potentially powerful wind gusts possible in mountain communities and the Antelope Valley. Coastal flooding risks were expected to remain through Tuesday.
