3 Brush Fires Erupt North of L.A.; Some Homes Threatened

Brush fires, pushed by gusting winds, broke out around Lancaster and Gorman on Friday. One of Lancaster’s two major blazes was still threatening homes late in the evening, Los Angeles County fire officials said.

The first major blaze of the day was reported about 3:30 p.m. near 30th Street East and East Avenue J in east Lancaster. About 100 firefighters, with the help of two water-carrying helicopters, had the 350-acre blaze contained by late afternoon.

Nine minutes after the first report and about 40 miles to the west, a fire broke out near Gorman on the far northern rim of Los Angeles County. More than 150 firefighters fought the flames near the Golden State Freeway south of Gorman Road. By 8 p.m., that blaze had grown to 600 acres and was deemed 40% contained.

A third fire, northwest of Lancaster near 90th Street West and West Avenue B, had consumed 600 acres and was raging uncontained after sundown, said county Fire Inspector Greg Cleveland. Reported at 4:02 p.m., it was the only major fire in the northern reaches of Los Angeles County that threatened homes, although none had burned as of 8 p.m., Cleveland said.