Devore Fire Burns Dangerously Close to Homes, Chars Several Cars
DEVORE (CBSLA.com) — A small but intense brush fire charred several vehicles and burned dangerously close to a home in the Devore area before being knocked down.
Cal Fire spokesperson Liz Brown says the fire at Woodlawn and Rancho avenues was reported shortly before 1:30 p.m. Friday.
The blaze, which required both ground and air units, appeared to be all but extinguished as of 2:30 p.m. However, firefighters remained on scene for several hours after to ensure that hot spots were knocked down as well.
Although the fire scorched five acres, it burned very close to several homes, reported KCAL9's Tom Wait.
Kristian Hultgren, a homeowner, said one resident opened her door to sounds of a man yelling, "Fire! Fire!"
"[The woman] grabbed the kids, and just screamed, 'Get in the car! Get in the car! And the kids were just running in circles. So she had to grab the baby and the three kids," he recounted.
The fire erupted amid a fall heat wave that is blanketing the region with scorching temperatures, and dry conditions.
Brown said that Cal Fire has increased personnel for this weekend due to the increased fire threat.
The fire also prompted some evacuations in the area, and destroyed construction equipment, as well.