California fires rage, with dead man found

Two wildfires continued to rage across California on Sunday, forcing the evacuation of thousands of homes and leaving at least one scorched body in the aftermath.

Firefighters have battled since Friday the so-called Sand Fire that burned 34 square miles near the city of Santa Clarita, which is north of Los Angeles, and the Angeles National Forest. Another 16 square miles burned in the Big Sur region about 300 miles to the north. Eighteen homes have been destroyed, authorities said.

"It started consuming houses that were non-defendable," Los Angeles County Deputy Fire Chief John Tripp said, adding that the fire whipped through the area "like a freight train."

The body of a man was found Saturday in a compact sedan in the driveway of a home in Santa Clarita, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said Sunday. The cause of death wasn't known and would be confirmed by the medical examiner, but there is no indication it was a criminal incident, the department said in a statement.

About 1,500 homes have been evacuated, according to the county fire department.

As of 4:40 p.m. ET Sunday, authorities said evacuation orders would remain in place.

Nearly 1,700 firefighters have helped fight the blaze, but it was only 10% contained, the fire department said in an update at 8 a.m. Pacific.

The forecast for temperatures near 100 degrees and humidity at 10%, with wind gusting up to 20 mph, will allow firefighters to “make good progress” Sunday, the department said.

“With the weather pattern changing, it will provide better visibility for pilots,” the department said, warning residents to expect to see more flights of 15 water-dropping helicopters that will try to slow the fire’s movement and more firefighters on the ground.

“It’s not a one-direction type of fire,” said Nathan Judy, spokesman for the Angeles National Forest, according to The Associated Press. “It’s going in different directions depending on which way the wind is blowing. It’s doing what it wants.”

The fire already destroyed Old West-style buildings used for movie locations at the Sable Ranch in Santa Clarita.

“It was a horrific firestorm,” owner Derek Hunt told KABC-TV. “At some point, you know you’re defeated and you have to step back and save what you can. We fought as best as we could.”

Thick smoke rolled across neighboring Los Angeles. The South Coast Air Quality Management District warned of unhealthy air in the Santa Clarita and San Bernardino areas, advising people with respiratory problems to stay indoors.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department issued a “red flag” warning for the area to protect against sparking new fires by mowing dry grass or parking a car on dry grass.

To the north, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection fought a mountain fire in the Big Sur region south of Garrapata State Park. About 1,650 homes were threatened and the community of Palo Colorado was evacuated, the department said.

“We felt threatened this morning and decided we needed to go,” Jerri Masten-Hansen told KSBW-TV, after watching the fire creep toward their home.

Hillside wildfire lights up Los Angeles, blackens skies

Contributing: Chris Woodyard; Associated Press