Wildfire near LA spreads to 11,000 acres, sparking evacuations

A wildfire burning near Los Angeles has grown to 11,000 acres and sparked evacuations in the area, authorities said Friday. The blaze, dubbed the 'Rye Fire,' began Wednesday afternoon in the Santa Clarita Valley and has been spreading rapidly, fueled by dry brush and strong winds. As of Friday evening, the fire was 0% contained. The fire has forced the evacuation of thousands of homes in the area, including the entire community of Agua Dulce. Evacuation orders have also been issued for parts of the city of Santa Clarita and the surrounding areas. The fire has caused major traffic disruptions, and authorities are asking people to avoid the area. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The fire is one of several wildfires currently burning in California, which is experiencing a severe drought. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in response to the wildfires. Firefighters are working to contain the blaze, but the dry conditions and strong winds are making their efforts difficult.

Summary

"A wildfire near Los Angeles has grown to 11,000 acres, prompting evacuations of thousands of homes. The Rye Fire, fueled by dry brush and winds, is 0% contained. The blaze has caused major disruptions and forced evacuations in Agua Dulce, parts of Santa Clarita, and surrounding areas. The cause remains under investigation, and the fire is one of several burning in drought-stricken California. Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency due to the wildfires."