As many as 20,000 people have been forced from their homes by wildfires in California described as having reached "almost unprecedented levels."

Early Monday, authorities estimated that the blaze tripled in size since first breaking out around Santa Clarita early Friday evening and has now spread to consume more than 33,000 acres.

The combination of hot, dry and windy conditions only made it more difficult for the nearly 2,000 firefighters battling the blaze to gain control over it. As of early Monday, authorities conceded that it remained just 10 percent contained.

Numerous Homes Destroyed

The blaze has already destroyed at least 18 homes and one person was found dead inside a burning vehicle, though authorities have not yet revealed his cause of death.

One fire official described the ride through nearby Placerita Canyon State Park as now resembling a "drive through hell." Reports are smoke could be seen as far away as Las Vegas about 270 miles away.

"We'd have to go back a long way to compare a fire to this. And, we're not through with this thing yet," said Los Angeles County Fire Department Battalion Chief Dennis Cross.

Evacuations Growing

Among the areas thus far ordered evacuated are Agua Dulce Canyon Road north to the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway, Crown Valley north to the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway and all of Soledad Canyon between those two areas.Battle Sand

More recently, residents in the areas Golden Valley Road to Sand Canyon, excluding the Sand Canyon Mobile Home Park, were also ordered to leave their homes.

Evacuation centers have been set up at Highland High School at 39055 25th Street West in Palmdale; at Hart High School at 24825 Newhall Ave. in Santa Clarita; and at Lakeview Terrace Recreation Center at 11075 Foothill Boulevard.

Just up the road near Big Sur, another wildfire is raging that has already destroyed six home. As of late Sunday, fire officials estimated that it was just 5 percent contained.


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