The latest: Fire evacuation orders stay in place amid winds

By The Associated Press

Sunday, July 24, 2016 | 2:26 p.m.

The latest on California wildfires (all times local):

1:40 p.m.

Authorities say all evacuation orders will remain in place as winds fan a massive wildfire that has destroyed 18 homes north of Los Angeles.

Los Angeles County fire officials said earlier that residents of some areas of Sand Canyon near Santa Clarita would be allowed to return Sunday afternoon. But unpredictable winds led officials to rescind that decision.

The blaze sparked Friday has charred more than 34 square miles of dry brush and is just partially contained. Officials say it is moving northeast through the Angeles National Forest toward the city of Acton, where residents are warned to get ready to leave at a moment's notice.

Sheriff's officials are investigating the death of a man found Saturday in a burned car outside a home in the fire zone.

12 p.m.

A forest fire burning near Big Sur on California's scenic Central Coast has destroyed a small structure and charred 16 square miles.

California's forestry department says the blaze is threatening 1,650 homes and other buildings and that the community of Palo Colorado is still under an evacuation order Sunday. One outbuilding has burned.

Officials say the fire could spread north and have warned the community of Carmel Highlands to be prepared to leave.

The blaze erupted Friday in almost inaccessible terrain 5 miles south of Garrapata State Park.

11:55 a.m.

Authorities are preparing to lift some evacuation orders after a massive wildfire north of Los Angeles destroyed 18 homes but are warning residents of other communities to get ready to leave.

Officials said Sunday that shifting winds are pushing the flames to the northeast through Angeles National Forest and toward the city of Acton.

They say some residents who fled canyons near Santa Clarita where the homes burned will be allowed to return Sunday afternoon.

The blaze sparked Friday has charred more than 34 square miles of dry brush and is just partially contained. Its cause is under investigation.

Los Angeles County sheriff's officials are investigating the death of a man found Saturday in a burned car outside a home in the fire zone.

10:45 a.m.

Authorities say 18 homes have been destroyed and an additional 1,500 are threatened as crews battle a massive wildfire in wooded canyons north of Los Angeles.

The blaze has blackened more than 34 square miles of dry brush withered by days of triple-digit heat on the edge of the Angeles National Forest. It was just 10 percent contained Sunday.

Fire spokeswoman Lisa Lugo says 18 homes were gutted and one was damaged Saturday after evacuations were ordered.

Authorities say the body of a man was discovered in a burned car outside a home in Santa Clarita. The death is under investigation, but sheriff's officials say there's no evidence it was a crime.

Shifting winds are sending smoke from the fire away from greater Los Angeles and into desert communities, where residents are being warned about poor air quality.

10:15 a.m.

Authorities say 18 structures have burned in a massive wildfire that is threatening more than 1,500 homes in canyons north of Los Angeles.

Water-dropping aircraft resumed runs Sunday over the blaze that has blackened more than 34 square miles of dry brush on the edge of the Angeles National Forest. It's just 10 percent contained.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department didn't say whether the buildings that burned were homes.

Authorities said Saturday that the body of a man was discovered in a burned car outside a home in Santa Clarita. The death is under investigation, but sheriff's officials say there's no evidence it was a crime.

Shifting winds are sending smoke from the fire away from greater Los Angeles and into desert communities, where residents are being warned about poor air quality.