Fire burns in Canyon Country
Flames force evacuations Friday after burning 3,300 acres
A wind-driven brush fire blackened some 3,300 acres in a matter of hours Friday in Canyon Country, forcing evacuation off Soledad Canyon Road and closure of several northbound lanes of Highway 14.
The Sand Fire began at 2:13 p.m. near Highway 14 and Sand Canyon Road but quickly jumped to several different locations up Soledad Canyon, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Pushed by winds of 10 to 15 mph, IT initially threatened homes but then began moving away from populated areas into the Angeles National Forest.
By 4:30 p.m., the fire was at 1,500 acres. It grew to 2,500 acres by 8 p.m., according to fire officials.
As of 9 p.m., the fire was holding at 3,330 acres with no containment. Fire officials said no structures burned, but one firefighter suffered a
minor injury.
A handful of people were evacuated from River’s End RV Park off Soledad Canyon Road as flames moved closer to homes.
John Fernie said he was watching television at his home in River’s End when he heard a knock at the door. A police officer told him to get ready to evacuate. If the flames moved any closer to his home, he would have to evacuate, the officer said.
“My truck is right here, so I’m ready at a moment’s notice,” Fernie said as he waited to see if an evacuation would be necessary. “It’s fun if you’re not around, but it’s quite dangerous once you get this close.”
Sgt. Brian Allen of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station said only seven homes were under mandatory evacuations. However, people east of Sand Canyon Road and south of Soledad Canyon Road were warned of possible danger, and many chose to leave voluntarily. Allen said approximately 100 people were affected by the evacuations.
The American Red Cross opened an evacuation shelter Friday night at Golden Valley High School, 27051 Robert C. Lee Parkway in Santa Clarita. Red Cross volunteers began providing shelter, information, meals and health services for those affected by the fire.
A shelter was set up for larger animals at Jack Bones Equestrian Center at Pitchess Detention Center, 29320 The Old Road in Castaic.
The fire was under mutual command of the Los Angeles County Fire Department and U.S. Forest Service. More than 300 firefighters, 29 engines, 12 camp crews, five helicopters, eight fixedwing aircraft and two dozers were called in to battle the flames.
Fire Department spokeswoman Vanessa Lozano said the fire was challenging due to the heat — more than 100 degrees when the fire began — and the gusty winds.
It also caused major traffic headaches. Most northbound lanes of Highway 14 were closed for hours, and traffic was backed up to Golden Valley Road for most of the afternoon. As the fire began, the California Highway Patrol reported flames were spreading onto the freeway.
Soledad Canyon Road was shut down from Highway 14 to Agua Dulce Canyon Road, and many side streets were clogged.
Metrolink stopped all rail traffic north of the Via Princessa Station for several hours.
The fire caused a huge cloud to smoke over the Santa Clarita Valley. Flames could be seen as far away as Encino, while smoke could be seen across much of Los Angeles County and into San Bernardino County, according to various witness accounts.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.