That pushed the various fires in different directions, forcing new evacuations in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. In anticipation of the heavy winds, all Los Angeles Unified schools in the San Fernando Valley as well as 17 schools on the city’s Westside will be closed for the rest of the week, district officials said Wednesday afternoon. The decision closes at least 265 schools in neighborhoods affected by the wildfires raging in and near Los Angeles. On Wednesday, firefighters and residents from Ventura County to Los Angeles used the calmer conditions to try to make headway in advance of Thursday’s expected winds. That fire started about 4 a.m. Tuesday and quickly raced out of control as powerful Santa Ana winds pushed it toward houses below.

Source: Los Angeles Times December 07, 2017 09:00 UTC