The California Highway Patrol has shut a second freeway due to a wind-driven wildfire that has burned at least 10 homes and forced thousands of people to evacuate in northern Los Angeles.
CHP officer Patrick Kimball says a portion of Interstate 5 near Sylmar was shut Saturday morning after the fire marches west toward the freeway and threatening the Porter Ranch community. About 5,000 residents and patients at a hospital were evacuated after the fire broke out Friday night, and authorities say more evacuations are under way.
More than 600 firefighters are working to protect hundreds of homes threatened by the fire, which has burned at least 1,500 acres. Fire officials say that "near hurricane" force winds have grounded a few water dropping aircraft.
