Evacuations spread to West Valley *

Channel 7 just reported that, with the wind blowing more fiercely, evacuations have just been called for Box Canyon, Woolsey Canyon, Bell Canyon, Dayton Canyon and Lake Manor. KABC thought these areas were west of Porter Ranch, but they are actually farther away — in the Simi Hills south of the 118 Freeway and west of Chatworth and West Hills. This is significant, meaning the firefighters fear not being able to stop the flames from marching south. Smoke is blowing horizontally rather than rising, an indicator of the wind strength. No homes have burned in Porter Ranch, which has to be a credit to fire crews and preparations such as brush clearing and fire-safe construction. There is concern still about the stables and ranches in Browns Canyon, which only has one paved road in and out.

* Update: Those are mandatory evacuations, CBS 2 stresses. These are communities in both Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The acreage burned has already surpassed 2,000 acres.