GORMAN, California: The mountains along Interstate 5 north of Los Angeles over the weekend were ablaze as strong winds pushed flames through the dry brush, and residents were warned to evacuate in case it exploded again.

A day after at least 1,200 campers, off-roaders, and hikers were hurriedly evacuated from the Hungry Valley recreation area, the first major wildfire of the year in Los Angeles County swiftly swept through nearly 23 square miles.

Dubbed the Post Fire, the blaze was just two percent contained by June 16 evening. Fortunately, there were no injuries, and the cause was being investigated.

Working in sweltering conditions and steep terrain, firefighters raced to douse spot fires erupting in unpredictable winds that blew embers ahead of the flames, said Kenichi Haskett, a section chief for the LA County Fire Department.

"When it is windy, it just sprays the water everywhere we don't need it. So that is a challenge," The Associated Press quoted Haskett.

In Northern California, a small wildfire prompted evacuation orders and warnings on June 16 for a sparsely populated area near Lake Sonoma. It was 15 percent contained.

A day earlier in the afternoon, near I-5 in Gorman, about 60 miles northwest of Los Angeles, the Southern California fire erupted.

Flames were moving toward a popular destination for boaters, Pyramid Lake, which was closed as a precaution on Father's Day.