Dry conditions fueling fast-moving California brush fire - Toledo News Now, News, Weather, Sports, Toledo, OH

Dry conditions fueled fast-moving CA brush fire that threatened homes

Airplanes and helicopters are dumping water in an attempt to contain a fast moving brush fire near Los Angeles. (Source: KCAL/CNN) Airplanes and helicopters are dumping water in an attempt to contain a fast moving brush fire near Los Angeles. (Source: KCAL/CNN)
Three homes have been evacuated due to a fast-moving brush fire. (Source: KCAL/CNN) Three homes have been evacuated due to a fast-moving brush fire. (Source: KCAL/CNN)

GORMAN, CA (RNN) - Firefighters fought a fast-moving "pine fire" that spanned nearly 30-acres. Black smoke can be seen for miles as planes called Super Scoopers and helicopters dump water and fire retardant on the blaze.

As a result of the two-alarm fire, which started shortly after 1 p.m. PST, officials have closed one road and three homes have been evacuated, although no official evacuation order has been given. There are no injuries or damage reported at this time and an official evacuation order was not needed.

Angeles National Forest firefighters, Los Angeles County Sheriff deputies and Los Angeles County Fire Department are on scene, but KCAL reports the area is difficult for fire officials to reach.

The area is particularly arid and susceptible to fires, however California is experiencing severe drought conditions throughout the state after three years of insufficient rain and snowfall. Officials tell KCAL that dry brush may be fueling the fire.

"This is light to medium fuel which means it moves quite quickly. When you have wind with that it makes it even more dangerous," Los Angeles County Fire Department Inspector Keith Mora said to KCAL.

According National Geographic, one example of California's water woes can be seen in the hydroelectric reservoir Folsom Lake in Northern California, where it reached just 17 percent of the reservoir's capacity and just 35 percent of its normal averages in 2013.

California drought conditions are also dramatically affecting farming conditions. There are 80,000 farms in the state, producing nearly half of all U.S. grown fruits, vegetables and nuts. According to CNN, the drought could have a ripple effect nationwide, with prices in grocery stores increasing by 10 percent in the next few months.

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