Adding to an already brutal firestorm, another brush fire erupted Thursday in the West Hills area, quickly consuming nearly 800 acres of terrain and forcing mandatory evacuations.
The fire was reported around 3:30 p.m. in an area north of the Ventura (101) Freeway near Valley Circle Boulevard.
Initially reported at 20 acres, it quickly expanded to 50 acres, and within 90 minutes it exploded to 791 acres, pushed by continuing Santa Ana winds.
There were no immediate reports of injuries or structural damage.
A mandatory evacuation order was issued for the people between Vanowen and Burbank Boulevard, from County Lane Road east to Valley Circle Boulevard.
Evacuation warnings were issued for the area bordered by Ingomar and Saticoy Streets south to Burbank Boulevard, from Valley Circle Boulevard east to Woodlake Avenue.