Containment of Tick f ire hits 55%
Calmer winds in the Southland help crews gain ground on the 4,600acre blaze.
As firefighters continued to make progress against the Tick fire in Santa Clarita, officials said Saturday that human remains were discovered in the charred path of the fire but that they were not related to the blaze.
A public works employee was combing the burn area near Sand Canyon Road and Thompson Ranch Drive about 11:30 a.m. when the remains were found, said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy James Nagao.
Authorities determined that the death was not caused by the fire. The skeletal remains had been hidden in the canyon for at least a year.
“The fire burned away the vegetation that was concealing the bones,” Sheriff’s Deputy Morgan Arteaga said.
The identity of the victim is unknown, and officials are investigating the cause of death.
The winds that fanned the Tick fire in Santa Clarita calmed Saturday, allowing firefighters to expand containment of the destructive blaze and some residents to return home.
The fire, which had consumed more than 4,600 acres and left at least 18 structures destroyed and 16 damaged, was 55% contained, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials said. Three firefighter injuries were reported, though no information on the extent of those injuries was available.
About 925 firefighters remained on the scene to get an upper hand on the fire before Santa Ana winds kick up again.
“Westerly wind shifts pose a challenge for our firefighters as they may change the potential for rekindle scenarios,” sheriff ’s officials said in a statement.
Humidity was expected to drop as night fell, zapping the moisture out of the air, National Weather Service meteorologist Keily Delerme said.
Those drier conditions, coupled with expected winds ranging from 20 to 35 mph and gusts up to 50 mph in Santa Clarita could create conditions ripe for the spread of wildfires, the National Weather Service said. The area will be under a fire weather watch.
At the height of the blaze, about 40,000 residents were ordered to evacuate. Many have been allowed to return home. But a mandatory evacuation order remained in effect for Tick Canyon Road from Abelia Road to Summit Knoll Road.
The fire erupted Thursday before 1:45 p.m. along Tick Canyon Road. The winds picked up in the wee hours of Friday morning, causing the fire to breach the 14 Freeway between Sand Canyon and Agua Dulce, burning an additional 700 to 800 acres.
Severe fire and wind conditions prompted Gov. Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency for Los Angeles County and for Sonoma County, which is grappling with the massive Kincade fire. Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn also declared a local emergency for the county Friday.
Imageson social media showed homes without roofs, the burned contents exposed. Neighbors stood in one yard taking in the devastation. Hand-painted signs showed heartfelt messages.
“You are not alone,” said one.
“#SequoiaStrong” said another.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Officials issued a warning to residents to guard themselves against hazards such as fire ash, damaged utility lines, and exposed and burnt-out structures. The Los Angeles County Fire Department is advising people to wear protective gear such as N-95 face masks, gloves, boots and ear protection.
About 400 miles away in Northern California, the Kincade fire raged on, chewing through more than 25,400 acres at 10% containment.