Fast-Moving Macy Brush Fire Grows to 1,600 Acres In LA County

FAIRMONT, CA — A rapidly spreading brush fire burned about 1,600 acres in far northern Los Angeles County Friday, prompting temporary evacuation and shelter-in-place orders for some residents and the closure of a stretch of Highway 138.

The blaze, dubbed the Macy Fire triggered evacuation orders in Kern County that were downgraded to evacuation warnings as of 8 p.m., Kern County CalFire PIO Jeremy Ruiz told Patch. Evacuation warnings mean residents face a potential threat to live and property and should be ready to evacuate at a moment's notice. Residents with livestock should leave when an evacuation warning is issued.

The fire was reported about 2:45 p.m. near Highway 138 and North 110th Street West, where flames initially scorched about 100 acres of brush, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

SEE ALSO: Fairmont Fire: See Macy Fire Perimeter, Evacuation Zones

Fueled by conditions in the area, the blaze quickly expanded to about 660 acres by 3:35 p.m., leading fire officials to upgrade the incident to a third-alarm fire. The fire continued to grow, reaching 1,100 acres as it pushed north toward the Kern County line.

By 5 p.m., firefighters reported that the blaze had crossed into Kern County.

A section of Highway 138 was closed because of the fire.

No injuries, structural damage or containment estimates were immediately reported. Firefighters remained on scene Friday evening battling the blaze.

City News Service contributed to this report.