An air tanker drops fire retardant on the Archer fire that erupted in Granada Hills, prompting evacuation orders.

A brush fire broke out Friday in Granada Hills.

The Archer fire had burned about three acres near the 17000 block of Sesnon Boulevard and was growing at a moderate speed, said fire officials. Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman Margaret Stewart said the area was hit with erratic winds.

LAFD firefighters are on the scene along water-dropping aircraft. Officials said they were making progress.

It is burning west of the Hurst fire, which erupted in Sylmar earlier this week.

At 11:45 a.m., a mandatory evacuation order was downgraded to an evacuation warning for Balboa Boulevard at the 5 Freeway to Tampa Avenue; Session Boulevard to Sunshine Canyon Road.

Residents in those areas should leave, officials say. Others should avoid the area.

Sign up for Essential California

The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.