New fire breaks out near Los Angeles, forcing 19,000 people to evacuate

The new blaze broke out late Wednesday morning and has burned down 9,400 acres of land and is under zero per cent containment, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL Fire).

Plumes of dark smoke were seen near Lake Castaic, a popular recreation area in the northwestern neighbourhood of Los Angeles, located about 40 kilometres from the destructive Eaton and Palisades fire that continue to be burning for the third week now.

Data from CAL Fire showed that the Palisades fire, which has charred 23,448 acres of land to date, is under 68 percent containment. The Eaton fire, meanwhile, is under 91 per cent containment after burning down 14,021 acres.