Hello Mary Lu

Okay we’ve got several fires running here in SoCal.

Governor Arnold’ has called a State of Emergency for Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. He’s going to hold a Press Conference sometime tomorrow.

The fires in San Bernardino are running along 215 and Baseline. There are more than one commercial structures actively burning. There are fires running along the median for at least a mile. High wind warning remains in effect until tomorrow.

The Press Enterprise and AP Report: A brush fire alongside Interstate 215 is throwing up sparks that have set buildings blocks away on fire in the city of San Bernardino. The freeway has also been closed in both directions for the second time Monday. City fire spokesman Steve Tracey says sustained winds are stoking the blaze, which began spreading in the freeway median around 5 p.m. Monday. It was not immediately clear whether the fire was the same one that started in the morning and forced the freeway to close for hours. On Monday night, the fire burned 11 blocks along the freeway into a residential and commercial reactance says a public storage building and another commercial building are still burning.The first reported fire started in a homeless camp and tore through brush and palm trees along the freeway. A homeless man has been arrested for allegedly starting the blaze with cigarette butts.

The news on the Marek Fire (Sunland Area) in Little Tujunga Canyon Slideshow of the fire is here: 

Here is the latest official report: The Marek Fire has scorched more than 3,200 acres in the Angeles National Forest and has burned mobile homes, structures and vehicles in the Sylmar area. The expansion occurred when winds gusting at up to 70 miles per hour during the night churned up hot embers and caused a flare-up in Lopez Canyon. There are about 1,000 firefighters from several jurisdictions battling this fire, which is also being attacked from the air by water dropping planes and helicopters. Roughly, 1,200 people have been evacuated. The fires prompted the closure of the 210 Freeway between the 118 Freeway and Interstate 5. It is only 20 percent contained. Authorities are describing it as suspicious in nature. (Lovely.)

Firefighters are battling a fast-moving, wind-driven fire that is burning through brush in Porter Ranch near the (118) Ronald Reagan Freeway. The Sesnon Fire broke out in the Oat Mountain area just before 10:30 a.m. and quickly grew to 4,726 acres, fanned by winds of 35 mph to 45 mph with gusts to 70 mph.Fire officials diverted aircraft from the Marek Fire to help fight the Senson Fire.

There are about 300 firefighters battling the blaze, but those numbers would like increase as more resources were requested.

Immediate evacuations have been ordered for Box Canyon, Woolsey Canyon, Bell Canyon, Lake Manor, Dayton Canyon, Brown Canyon and Twin Lakes, according to Brian Bollton of the Los Angeles City Fire Department.

The fire was initially burning in oil fields on the mountain, which is also home to radio and broadcast towers, including one belonging to KTLA. The fire was not threatening any underground natural gas storage areas. Traffic along the 118 Freeway near Tampa Ave. was disrupted on both sides as drivers were told to turn around and head east in the westbound lanes to avoid the flames. One fatality was also believed to be linked to the traffic mess.The freeway is closed from the 2 Freeway to Route 210, and from Route 405 to the Ventura County line. The Ventura (101) Freeway was closed West of the 405 Freeway. Metrolink officials also have shut down the Ventura County Line until further notice due to heavy smoke and ash from the fire.  Riders will be rerouted via bus. Expect delays.

"This fire has the real potential of moving from where it is now … as far as Pacific Coast (Highway)," said Los Angles County Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman. Residents downwind were warned to remain alert into the night. The cause of the fire was not yet known.

Oceanside just checked in and they are evacuating about 1100 homes ajoining Camp Pendleton. More as this develops.

If you need to get somewhere in the areas of the fire, keep your radios on to KFI (640 AM) or KABC (790AM) Or use Google Maps and Click on the TRAFFIC feature.

Tags: Sesnon Fire, Marek Fire, Porter Ranch Fire, San Bernardino fire, Sunland Fire