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Sept. 3 (UPI) -- California Gov. Jerry Brown on Sunday declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles County as the biggest wildfire in history of the city remained only 10 percent contained. The governor's declaration allows quick state and federal assistance will be provided under the direction of the California Office of Emergency Services.
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Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said Saturday the La Tuna fire is the largest in the city in terms of sheer acreage.
The had consumed 5,895 acres in the Verdugo Mountains north of downtown Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department late Sunday morning.
A total of 1,061 firefighters, plus nine helicopters and five water tenders are fighting the fire in the Sun Valley and Sunland areas. In addition, a stretch of the 210 Freeway remained closed.
A new flare-up forced new evacuation orders in Burbank, police Sgt. Derek Green said Sunday morning.
More than 700 homes have been evacuated in Burbank, Glendale and Los Angeles since the fire began Friday.
On Saturday, three structures were reported lost in the Tujunga area in "isolated areas" with no brush clearance, Los Angeles Fire Department Battalion Chief Ralph Terrazas said.
Two firefighters were taken to hospitals for treatment of dehydration as temperatures near the blaze hit triple digits.
On Sunday, the National Weather Service canceled an Excessive Heat Warning. Temperatures were to diminish to 90-94 with a chance of some showers and lightning.
"The biggest challenge and risk is the wind," Los Angeles Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas said at a news briefing.
Winds were forecast at 3 to 8 mph gusts up to 12 mph.
"That can change in a moment's notice and the wind can accelerate very quickly," Terrazas said.
South Coast Air Quality Management District officials warned Saturday that smoke in the area was creating poor air quality. By Sunday morning, the quality had returned to moderate.
On Saturday, Mayor Eric Garcetti said at a news conference that the fire is believed to be the biggest in terms of acreage in city of Los Angeles history.
