Fire Threatens Thousands in Southern California (VIDEOS)

Wind driven fires are sending local residents from Oceanside and Los Angeles into evacuation centers.

California's Governor is briefed earlier today on the status of the Marek Fire and firefighting efforts statewide. Photo: California Governor's Office

(LOS ANGELES) - Firefighters in Southern California should get a break from nature Tuesday night and Wednesday as the winds continue to shut down.

The predicted weakening will not be enough of a change though, according to state fire officials. They say the wind flow will remain offshore through Wednesday, and that will keep the area very dry.

Almost without exception, California wildfires break out simultaneously, sending fire crews in many directions. This series of fires falls right in line with the pattern and involves substantial portions of Southern California.

Here is the latest information from Cal Fire's incident log:

Shockey Fire in San Diego County
The location of this fire is near Shockey Truck Trail and Highway 94. 200 acres have been burned. The fire is 70% contained. Full containment is expected at 6:00 PM this evening. 60 structures were threatened, at this point all evacuations have been lifted; except for those homes within the fire’s perimeter.

The cause of the fire is under Investigation. 273 firefighters were called out for the Shockey Fire.

Sesnon Fire in Los Angeles County:
This fire is located at Brows Canyon and Oat Mountain Way, at Porter Ranch. So far more than 10,000 acres have been burned, the fire is currently at 0% containment.

3,500 residences and 100 commercial properties are currently threatened, according to Cal Fire. 19 homes have already been destroyed. Evacuations are in effect for residents in Box Canyon, Bell Canyon, Woolsey Canyon, Lake Manor, Dayton Canyon, Brown Canyon, Twin Lakes area, and west of Valley Circle.

An evacuation center has been established at the Shepherd of the Hill in Porter Ranch.

The cause of the fire is under Investigation. So far 1,217 firefighters have been called out to fight the Sesnon Fire.

Marek Fire in Los Angeles County:
This heavy brush fire at Brows Canyon and Oat Mountain Way has burned 9,872 acres. Containment is currently at 70% according to Cal Fire.

Evacuations are in effect for Residents in Box Canyon, Bell Canyon, Woolsey Canyon. Lake Manor, Dayton Canyon, Brown Canyon, the Twin Lakes area and also west of Valley Circle. Evacuation Centers are open at the Shepherd of the Hills in Porter Ranch.

Information on the number of firefighters responding to fight this blaze was not available.

Juliett Fire at Camp Pendleton
3,650 acres have burned in this fire in San Diego County. Containment is at 25% at this time. The fire has burned the southeast portion of the Camp Pendleton Marine Base.

Additionally, there is a five acre fire adjacent to the I-5, in the vicinity of the DeLuz Tank park. Camp Pendleton Fire is currently fighting the fire with one fire engine and five brush trucks. I-5 is open in both directions, but the Las Pulgas gate remains closed as of 12:45 PM Today. Las Pulgas Road is closed from the gate east to Fire Station 6. Stuart Mesa Road is closed from the Las Pulgas intersection south to Aliso Creek.

Fire officials say the cause of the fire is currently unknown. We were not able to determine how many firefighters responded to the Juliett Fire. The primary response has been from Camp Pendleton Fire and Oceanside Fire.

Here is a video clip of the Porter Fire courtesy of KABC and YouTube:

Video

Here is a video clip from the Camp Pendleton (Juliett) Fire at Oceanside. courtesy of YouTube member SoCalMuchacha:

This video clip from Independent Features offers amazing still images of the Northern Los Angeles Wildfires:

This report, courtesy of Reuters and YouTube, takes the viewer to the scene of the raging wildfires in Southern California:

This is an interesting video by YouTube member arthuradam that shows activity visible from the freeway near Pasadena, and then onto the freeway itself after it has been shut down. The photographer talks to a FOX News crew and shows CHP cruisers blasting down the deserted freeway:

Here is a video report courtesy of The AP and YouTube that shows areas of Los Angeles where thousands were sent fleeing from their homes: