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UPDATE: Sand Fire In Canyon Country Reaches 2,500 Acres, Evacuation Order Called – #SandFire
Posted by: Chris McCrory July 22, 2016 - 2:38 pm
6:05 p.m. UPDATE: Contains information on potential evacuations.
Firefighters are battling a 2,500 acre brush fire called the Sand Fire on the right shoulder of the northbound Highway 14 Freeway at Soledad Canyon Road, which is forcing the evacuation of some Canyon Country residents.
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More evacuations may be coming, according to Sgt. Allen with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.
“There are some standbys for possible evacuations,” he said. “We are definitely standing by to evacuate more people.”
Los Angeles County fire officials said the blaze is still burning north toward the forest and away from most residences. There is a possibility that command of the incident could shift to the Angeles National Forest officials, because of the direction the incident is moving, according to fire officials.
Allen added that the area was sparsely populated, complicating efforts to reach residents who may be in danger.
Officials with the LACoFD are saying as of 5:50 p.m., the #SandFire is now at 2,500 acres, with 0% containment. No new evacuations have been issued.
An evacuation order has been called from Soledad Canyon at the 14 freeway all the way up to Aqua Dulce Canyon Road, according to LACoFD officials at 4:50 p.m. Officials believe Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station deputies will be conducting hard road closures in the areas close to the fire soon.
The Golden Valley High School small gym is being used by the Red Cross as an evacuation point for residents affected by the Sand Fire. Officials hope to get the evacuation point up and running by 6:30 p.m. Golden Valley High School is located at 27051 Robert C. Lee Pkwy.
Some parts of Soledad Canyon Rd. are shut down due to the fire, said Sgt. Allen with the Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station at 5:15 p.m. More road closures are expected to be called soon.
Fire officials reported that as of 4:24 p.m. the fire was moving up the hillside, away from homes, into the Angeles National Forest, and warned Canyon Country residents to be aware of wind shift.
The Sand Fire is at 1,500 acres as of 4:40 p.m., according to fire officials, who noted the fire is pushing east fast, despite mild 12-15 mph wind, as of 4:07 p.m. A third alarm has been called and fixed wing aircraft are currently making drops on the fire.
Angeles National Forest has called a third alarm response for the flames.
River’s End RV Park is being evacuated at 13130 Soledad Canyon Road, and Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station deputies are on scene in case further structures are threatened.
“They mowed that hill down to build a lot of homes and nothing was built,” said Inspector Richard Licon with the LACoFD about the terrain.
A SigAlert was issued on the 14 north at Soledad Canyon Road at 3:14 p.m. with multiple lane closures, causing traffic to back up in the area, according to CHP officials.
CHP reports indicated that the blaze was off the freeway as of 3:21 p.m.
Assisting in the firefighting efforts are nine engines, three helicopters and 195 personnel. Officials are worried however that triple-digit temperatures may complicate the efforts to battle the blaze.
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Several alternative routes are available to avoid the area. Motorists stuck in the San Fernando Valley can take Little Tejunga over to Sand Canyon Road. Those traveling east can take the I-5 to the 138. Sierra Highway is another alternative, and those on the 14 freeway can exit and travel toward Bouquet Canyon Road, going through Lake Elizabeth to get to Palmdale.
All northbound and southbound Metrolink trains through the Santa Clarita Valley have been stopped due to the fire as of 4:30 p.m. Via Princessa is the last stop in Santa Clarita for Metro Trains. Acton is the last stop north of the SCV.
The blaze was originally reported as a second alarm brush fire on the right shoulder of the road near the northbound 14 freeway. Units were on scene shortly before 2:20 p.m.
Photo by Kimberly Beers. 
Photo courtesy of Karen McCrory. 
Photo courtesy of Chris Mazourek. 
Photo courtesy of Chris Mazourek. 
Photo courtesy of Annette Jaquez. 
Photo courtesy of Annette Jaquez. 
Photo courtesy of Sharon Bronson. 
Photo courtesy of Sharon Bronson. 
Photo courtesy of Sharon Bronson. 
Photo courtesy of Sharon Bronson. 
Photo courtesy of Sharon Bronson. 
Photo courtesy of Sharon Bronson. 
Photo courtesy of Sharon Bronson. 
Photo courtesy of Sharon Bronson. 
Photo courtesy of Jane Platt. 
Photo courtesy of Jane Platt. 
Photo courtesy of Becky Amado. 
Photo courtesy of Becky Amado. 
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Photo courtesy of Robert Hill. 
Photo courtesy of Dave Collins.