Follow LA Observed on Twitter here
View PowerHouse Fire in a larger map
As of Sunday night, officials had ordered a mandatory evacuation of Lake Hughes and of the John Munz and William Mendenhall probation camps. Voluntary evacuations were in effect for Lake Elizabeth and some other communities in the fire area. More than 1,200 homes are considered threatened. Fifteen have been damaged, including six that were destroyed. The fire command said at midnight that 22,242 acres have burned and there was 20% containment.
From the fire command post:
The Powerhouse Fire started on Thursday, May 30th at approximately 3:30pm. The fire started in the Angeles National Forest south of the community of Green Valley off of San Francisquito Canyon Road on the Santa Clara Mojave Rivers Ranger District. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. The most recent mapping indicates the fire is 22,242 acres and is continuing to move north and north west due to some spot fires and windy conditions. There are 2185 firefighters assigned to this incident.
The fire has crossed Lancaster Road and The California Aqueduct and is not expected to move further north. Fire west of Lake Hughes will burn upslope towards Sawmill Mountain and Sawtooth Mountain. Sawmill Mountain is the most recent area where we are beginning to see some “fire fingers”. Aircraft and firefighting crews are being deployed into this region. Fire crews are actively working to protect structures in Lake Hughes and Elizabeth Lake areas. To the East the in the Green Valley area the fire has not been active today. Most areas around the fire are under evacuation orders and LA County Sheriff’s and other enforcement officers are requesting that residents leave the area....The growth potential is considered “Extreme”. On Monday the temperature is expected to rise to 97 degrees and winds will peak at 25 to 35 mph.
The command post and base camp are at Pelona Vista Park in Palmdale.
Unified command photo: Claire Guthrie
