California firefighters rescued an American flag Wednesday morning as they battled the fast-moving, “extremely aggressive” Lake Fire at Lake Hughes, video games.
A lone flag can be seen on video footage above a dark flagpole as clouds of smoke fill the sky and burn over the arid landscape. Two firefighters pulled the flag down with flames burning just a few feet away.
The video was posted to the Los Angeles County Fireighters Local 1014 Twitter account and it shows the effect of a fire that could be seen miles away.
Still burning, the fire broke out Wednesday afternoon and quickly spread to destroy thousands of acres in the Angeles National Forest. It remains unrestricted.
“Even as we combat fighting-spreading flames and dangerous conditions, our members continue to serve with #respect and #honor,” the tweet read.
LAKE FIRE IN CALIFORNIA SEA ‘EXPLOSIVE’ GROWS, BURNS 10,000 ACRES IN END
The fire grew to at least 10,500 acres, about 65 miles north of Los Angeles, feeding dry chapel, brush and wood. More than 500 firefighters responded, and authorities deployed multiple planes and bulldozers to help.
The Lake Hughes fire broke out in the Angeles National Forest on August 13, north of Santa Clarita, Calif.
(AP Photo / Ringo HW Chiu)
Compulsory evacuations were ordered for residents northwest of Lake Hughes Road and Lake Elizabeth Road, households along West Trail Mountain View Road in Lake Hughes, and anyone south of Highway 138 down to Old Ridge Route. At least three structures have been destroyed.
Authorities also closed Lake Hughes Road between Castaic and Pine Canyon, and a number of other streets were also closed.
MASSIVE CALIFORNIA BRUSH FIRE ERUPTS NEAR ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST
An evacuation shelter was erected at Palmland Highland High School, at 39055 25th St., in West Palmdale. Shelter for large animals is available at the Antelope Valley and Castaic fairgrounds.
Hot and dry conditions are expected to continue into early new week.
The Lake Hughes fire sends a root smoke over the Angeles National Forest on Wednesday, August 12, 2020, in a view of Santa Clarita, California. (AP Photo / Ringo HW Chiu)
The fire initially spread so rapidly that flames crept up steep slopes that did not burn for decades, but light wind and rain Thursday morning helped firefighters slow the spread, Los Angeles-based ABC 7 reported.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP
Authorities still expect it to continue to spread, saying it could threaten surrounding communities, including Lake Hughes, Leona Valley, Lake Elizabeth, Pine Canyon, Quail Lake, Three Points and others.
