Fires In California Could Burn Down Michael Jackson's Neverland; Santa Barbara Lake Fire Extremely Close To Ranch

Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch is in danger of being burned down by a wildfire that erupted in Santa Barbara County in Southern California over the weekend.

Jackson's former ranch in Los Olivos is on the path of the so-called "Lake Fire," which has burned more than 16,000 acres since it broke out near Zaca Lake in the Los Padres National Forest on Friday afternoon.

The 5000 block of Figueroa Mountain Road, where Neverland Ranch is located, was among the areas included in the evacuation orders issued by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department Saturday.

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) public information officer Kenichi Haskett said Jackson's former 2,700-acre property and other ranches in the area were in immediate danger as of Sunday as winds were blowing the wildfire southeast, The New York Times reported.

The fire was 0% contained as of Sunday, and the cause remains under investigation, according to Cal Fire.

Hundreds of firefighters, along with helicopters and air tankers, were dispatched to the area.

In a statement obtained by ABC News, Cal Fire said the ongoing heat wave in California has made containment difficult.

"An EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING through next week continues to affect the fire with high temperatures, drying vegetation and little relief at night," the agency said. "The National Weather Service has reported that a heat wave this intense, this long, has not been experienced in this region in 20 years."

RELATED: Michael Jackson's Mom Has Received $55 Million From MJ's Estate Since His Death: Report

According to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, temperatures in the area reached the high 90s, while relative humidity levels dropped to 11% over the weekend.

The Western Fire Chiefs Association said, "When relative humidity decreases, fire behavior increases because fine fuels like grass and pine needles become drier quickly."

Named after the imaginary island in "Peter Pan," Jackson acquired Neverland Ranch in 1988 and made it his home and private amusement park.

The King of Pop later abandoned the ranch after facing allegations that he molested young boys there.

Jackson was acquitted of the charges in 2005, four years before he died at age 50.

Following Jackson's death, the ranch was renamed the Sycamore Valley Ranch and later sold to a Jackson family friend.

The ranch will be featured in the upcoming biopic about the late superstar, "Michael," which stars his nephew Jaafar Jackson and hits theaters next year.

Photos published by TMZ showed that signature features of Neverland Ranch, such as the rides, were restored for the film.

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