New fire breaks out in Southern California as high winds threaten progress: NPR

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A new fire broke out Monday evening in Southern California, adding to the series of fires over the past week that left more than 20 people dead and hundreds of thousands more under evacuation orders.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire, reported that the Auto Fire burned 56 acres in Ventura County around 5 a.m. ET on Tuesday . A mandatory evacuation has been issued in connection with the fire.

Late Monday night, Ventura County firefighters said the fire was spreading moderately and about 75 firefighters were on scene.

Ventura County is about 100 miles west of Los Angeles County, where officials are still working to contain three major fires: Hurst, Palisades and Eaton.

The latest fire occurred as firefighters struggled to control other fires that broke out a week ago in Los Angeles County. The two largest fires, the Palisades and Eaton fires, remained largely uncontained. The Hurst Fire, north of Los Angeles, was 97% contained, Cal Fire said.

The National Weather Service forecast strong winds of up to 70 miles per hour in Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Wednesday, which could create new fires and exacerbate current fires.

“Winds are expected to fluctuate in magnitude over the next 48 hours but the environment is expected to remain extremely dangerous, conducive to very rapid fire growth if a fire breaks out,” the agency said.

Late Monday night, 21 people were confirmed dead: 16 from the Eaton Fire and five from the Palisades Fire, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Office said. As of Sunday evening, the Los Angeles County medical examiner was investigating 24 deaths.

How to help and stay safe

Resources to help you stay safe:
➡️ With fire risk still high, authorities implore you to follow evacuation orders
➡️ What to do – and not to do – when returning home from a fire evacuation
➡️ Is there smoke in your house? Here’s how to make an air purifier from a box fan
➡️Trying to stay safe during a wildfire? There is an app that can help you

Ways to support response and recovery:
➡️ Do you want to help victims of a fire? Here’s what experts say does the most good and where to look for volunteers
➡️ Wildfire Donations and Volunteering: How and Where to Help
➡️ Share: Here are the steps fire victims should take to file an insurance claim.

The California Newsroom is tracking severe weather across the region. Click to LAist cover for the last one.