Huge Wildfires In California - Thousands Evacuated

Terrifying footage shows drivers rushing to escape huge wildfires burning in California

• The Saddleridge Fire broke out after 9pm on Thursday in Sylmar, California along the 210 Freeway 
• Mandatory evacuation orders were issued as 4,600 acres of land were scorched by 6am on Friday  
• Footage shows drivers racing to escape the flames rising on either side of them 
• Los Angeles Fire Department says  'unknown number' of homes are in the fire's path
• Meanwhile the nearby Sandalwood Fire continued to burn after a garbage truck threw burning trash on the side of the road
• Lois Arvickson, 89, of Calimesa, has been missing since Thursday night after the Sandalwood Fire swept through the mobile home park where she lived

Terrifying aerial footage showed crews battling a California wildfire fueled by winds as home burned and 100,000 people were forced to evacuate. 

The fire, known as the Saddleridge Brush Fire, broke out after 9pm on Thursday in Sylmar, north of Los Angeles, along the 210 Freeway near Yarnell Street and jumped the highway, according to KTLA.

Multiple freeways, including Interstate 5, Interstate 210, and Interstate 405 northbound were shut down at least partially, according to the California Highway Patrol. 

Fire officials said the Saddleridge fire consumed more than 4,600 acres by 6am on Friday with zero containment.

Authorities have ordered mandatory evacuations in the Granada Hills, Porter Ranch and Oakridge Estates neighborhoods. 

According to Los Angeles Fire Department Spokeswoman Margaret Stewart, an 'unknown number' of homes are in the fire's path. 

'Once daylight comes, a more accurate assessment can be performed,' the LA Fire Department said in a message on Twitter. 'A number of homes have been destroyed by fire but the estimated number is not available at this time.'   

Drivers shared terrifying footage of the flames raging on either side of the freeway before it was shut down.

Emergency service are seen at intervals along the highway in the dramatic footage, as the fire burns orange into the night's sky.  

In one of the videos the driving conditions become so bad due to the smoke that cars begin to pull over on the side of the road.   

In separate videos, part of the footage shows huge flames rising up into the sky from a building as helicopters circle above the area. 

Land further behind in the background is also on fire, with large areas of grass burning into the night's sky.  

Much of northern California, from San Francisco to the Oregon border, remains under a state 'red flag' fire alert.

The National Weather Service said the hot gusty winds that usually hit northern California in October, sometimes called the 'Diablo Winds,' would persist into Friday morning.    

Hot, dry winds sweeping into Southern California raised concerns that the region's largest utility could widen power shutoffs on Friday to prevent its equipment from sparking wildfires.

Southern California Edison turned off electricity to about 20,000 people in Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino and Kern counties, but warned that thousands more could lose service as Santa Ana winds gained strength.

Winds gusted dangerously as forecast before calming in Northern California, where Pacific Gas & Electric faced hostility and second-guessing over its widespread shutoffs.     

Governor Gavin Newsom criticized PG&E and ordinary customers complained about the inconveniences caused by the unprecedented blackouts that began midweek.