A new powerful forest fire in Los Angeles County, California, has spread over an area of more than 20 square kilometers in less than two hours.

Axar.az reports that CNN television provided this information.

According to the report, due to the risk of the fire expanding, authorities have announced the mandatory evacuation of residents in areas around Castaic Lake.

It should be noted that the fires, which started on January 7 in various parts of Los Angeles, have already destroyed more than 37,000 hectares of land. Over 12,000 properties have been burned, and the economic losses are estimated to be around 250-275 billion dollars.