Crews Make Progress Beating Back Brush Fire Near Santa Clarita
SANTA CLARITA (CBSLA) — Los Angeles County firefighters were making progress Saturday night beating back a brush fire that caused the evacuation of a neighborhood of houses and horse properties. The fast-moving, three-alarm brush fire had closed the 5 Freeway at the Valencia area in Santa Clarita earlier Saturday.
The "South Fire" was reported about 2:50 p.m. just east of the Golden State (5) Freeway, south of Calgrove Boulevard, fire officials said.
About 175 acres were burned with 30 percent containment as of 10 p.m. Saturday night, according to fire officials.
Earlier in the evening it was threatening 200 structures.
Also as of 10 p.m. Saturday night, CBSLA's Cristy Fajardo reports that all evacuation orders were lifted.
Evacuations were previously ordered on Ebelden Avenue, La Salle Canyon, Mentry and Creekside drives, White Oak, Valley Oak, Heritage Oak, Bella and Cary courts, Darcy and Clearbank lanes and Briardale Way, deputies said. Additional evacuations were ordered for all streets south of Maple Street up to Wildwood Canyon Road, Calgrove Boulevard, Valley Street, Oakbridge, Alamos, Haskell Vista and Champagne lanes, Agramonte and Green Crest drives, Cross Street and Wildwood Road.
Evacuation centers were set up at the Physical Education Center of the College of the Canyon and the Hilton Garden Inn at 27710 The Old Road in Valencia.
The northbound 5 was closed, and traffic quickly backed up in the Newhall Pass, as drivers opted for the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway and then surface streets to get around the fire area.
CBSLA's Jeff Nguyen observed a series of water-dropping helicopters from the county.
The county was asking for the City of Los Angeles to help out. They were also calling in for some fixed wing aircraft.
Nguyen reports that by 6 p.m. the air was starting to clear up but firefighters said they can't ease up yet.
"We will be working through the night to increase containment and to ensure that the fire will not increase in size," a fire official said.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Check back for updates on this breaking news story.
(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)
