Scenes from the Sand Fire
The effects of global warming on temperature, precipitation levels, and soil moisture are turning many of our forests into kindling during wildfire season.— Union of Concerned Scientists
Sand Canyon is a chapparal and brush covered stretch of the San Gabriel Mountains on the northwestern edge of Angeles National Forest near Los Angeles. On July 22, a fast-moving blaze exploded out of its steep gullies and nearby Placerita Canyon, threatening thousands of homes in the city of Santa Clarita to the west. Dryness, high winds and proximity to densely populated cities quickly made the Sand Fire one the most dangerous wild fires in California this year.
Firefighters continued to make progress against the fire Thursday, with InciWeb reporting it about 65 percent contained. So far, it has consumed more than 38,000 acres, or about 60 square miles. At least one death has been reported, and 18 structures and buildings have been destroyed. The cause is not yet known.
Periscopers @MarkHawk, @ReeseLives, @knxedmertz and @western_oracle captured these indelible images of the Sand Fire as it progressed over the past week.
