Authorities have ordered the evacuation of as many as 52 homes in Acton, an unincorporated rural area in Antelope Valley, because of the danger of mudslides and debris coming down the hills.
These homes were ordered evacuated during the heavy rains in mid-January, but they suffered no damage, said Los Angeles County Sheriff's Lt. Larry Gregg. He said that during the last evacuation, the vast majority of residents refused to leave.
"Once we pull out of the area, it's nearly impossible to get back in, even with a four-wheeler," he said.
The homes are just below an area that was burned in the Station fire. The properties range in size from an acre to as big as 30 acres, Gregg said, with dirt roads that have turned to mud. Many people have horses and other animals, said Los Angeles County Fire Department Inspector Matt Levesque.
He said the evacuation order was based on mud flow forecasts by the US Geological Survey.
— Jeff Gottlieb