The Latest: Fire threatening homes near Los Angeles easing

CALABASAS, Calif. – The Latest on a Los Angeles County brushfire that is threatening homes (all times local):

10:30 p.m.

Los Angeles County fire officials say a brushfire in Calabasas is now 15 per cent contained and firefighters are making progress as nightfall brings cooler weather.

Capt. Keith Mora says the 200-acre blaze that erupted Saturday afternoon damaged three homes but it’s unclear how badly. Some other buildings also were damaged.

Three neighbourhoods consisting of about 200 homes will remain under mandatory evacuation orders through the night.

At its peak, about 3,000 homes were considered at risk, although not in imminent danger.

The fire apparently was caused when a car hit a power pole, knocking down power lines.

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8:25 p.m.

Los Angeles County fire officials now say a brushfire in the Calabasas neighbourhood is threatening about 3,000 homes.

Capt. Keith Mora tells KCAL-TV that’s how many are near the 200-acre blaze that erupted Saturday afternoon northwest of downtown Los Angeles.

He says about 200 homes and some 500 people are under mandatory evacuation but the others are strongly urged to leave the area, where flames up to 50 feet high rolled along ridgetops and torched trees right next to million-dollar homes.

Mora says several homes reportedly had some damage but details aren’t clear.

The fire chewed through brush left tinder-dry as temperatures approached 100 degrees. Mora says with nightfall, cooler weather is helping ease the threat but some people may not get home for a night or two.

About 200 firefighters are on scene.

The fire may have started when a car hit a pole and brought down power lines.

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6:49 p.m.

A fast-moving brush fire sweeping through hills northwest of downtown Los Angeles has damaged homes and prompted neighbourhood evacuations.

The blaze is one of several that erupted late Saturday afternoon in Calabasas and West Hills. The West Hills blaze is out but those in Calabasas have combined to torch 200 acres in a matter of hours.

The fire is burning along ridgelines and has damaged some homes and outbuildings at a preschool.

Several dozen homes have been ordered evacuated.

Temperatures are in the mid-90s. Smoke from the fire can be seen for miles.

Los Angeles County fire dispatcher Cindy Marshall says some 200 firefighters are battling the flames along with water-dropping helicopters. More aircraft have been ordered.

Authorities say the blaze may have started when a car hit a pole, knocking down a power line.