South Florida All Too Familiar With L.A. Wildfire Conditions
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Expected rain would come down at a much needed time in California, a day after a massive wildfire wreaked havoc in the dry conditions – something South Florida is all too familiar with.
The U.S. Forest Service calls Saturday's rainy California weather a "mixed blessing" for crews fighting that massive wildfire near Los Angeles.
Firefighters are focusing on protecting hundreds of homes, especially after that fire destroyed several vehicles and homes on Friday.
The wildfire sweeping through "Cajon Pass" raced across a mountainous area 55 miles away from L.A.
Drivers panicked as flames jumped a busy interstate from L.A. to Las Vegas, catching drivers by surprise.
Fire officials say 40 mile an hour winds made the fire fight difficult.
The nearly-six square mile fire destroyed everything in its path including 60 vehicles and three homes in the community of baldy mesa.
And it's still racing toward another 700 homes, evacuating nearly 2800 people.
Another wildfire is also burning out of control in the San Gabriel Mountains.
Overnight, that fire forced hundreds of campers, including some girl scouts, to leave.
In South Florida, brush fires are common this time of year.
Just two weeks ago, a brushfire burned across 400 acres in Southwest Miami-Dade. The fire burned near homes on SW 167th Ave., putting people living there on edge. But firefighters said fortunately the wind was blowing the fire away from the homes.
Still, it did force them to close Krome Avenue as flames swept across the road.
Back in California, expected rain could help firefighters control of both fires.
Despite the rain, forest officials point out all it takes is a lighting strike on the right tree and the possibility increases for more fires.
They also said with more than 60 vehicles burned and so many people on that interstate it's amazing no one has been hurt.
