Sand Fire flames in the Santa Clarita area have torched more than 33,000 acres by Monday morning, and officials said they expect that number to grow.
By ABC7.com staff
Updated 1 hr 12 mins ago
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (KABC) -- Sand Fire flames in the Santa Clarita area have torched more than 33,000 acres by Monday morning, and officials said they expect that number to grow.
The raging fire destroyed 18 structures in its path in the areas of Sand Canyon, Bear Divide and Little Tujunga, and was threatening thousands of others. The destructive blaze amounts to nearly 51 square miles.
Evacuations encompassed approximately 10,000 homes, and 20,000 residents, and 200 commercial buildings were threatened, according to officials from the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Evacuations in Acton include homes along Agua Dulce Canyon Road north to the 14 Freeway, Crown Valley north to the 14 Freeway, and all of Soledad Canyon and Bootlegger Canyon, Los Angeles County fire officials said.
Sunday afternoon, the northbound 14 Freeway was shut down from the 5 Freeway to Soledad Canyon, and southbound lanes were closed from the I-5 to Avenue M. The CHP announced the 14 Freeway was later reopened.
Fire officials said Saturday night that the blaze was at 20 percent containment, but the U.S. Forest Service corrected that figure and said the fire remains at 10 percent containment.
In addition to the homes burned, the fire has also charred several other structures on the Sable Ranch, a well-known filming location, according to authorities.
A man's body was found in a burned sedan in the 26700 block of Iron Canyon Road, which is near one of the neighborhoods where a home had burned.
Sheriff's officials said the cause of the man's death has not been determined. They did, however, say there was no indication that the death was a criminal event. The investigation into the death is ongoing, and the identity of the man was not immediately known.
More than 2,900 fire personnel from throughout the state were helping battle the fire, officials said.
EVACUATION ORDERS
The evacuation areas include:
- All residents in Acton along Agua Dulce Canyon Road north to the 14 Freeway; Crown Valley north to the 14 Freeway; and all of Soledad Canyon and all of Bootlegger Canyon.
- All residents in Sand Canyon from Lost Canyon to Bear Divide (extended from Robinson Ranch Golf Course).
- All residents in Placerita Canyon from the Nature Center to Sand Canyon.
- Little Tujunga from Bear Divide to LA River Ranger District (Station), 12371 Little Tujunga Cyn Rd.
Evacuation centers were set up at Hart High School, 24825 N. Newhall, Santa Clarita and Lake View Terrace Recreation Center, 11075 Foothill Blvd, Lake View Terrace. Highland High School, 39055 25th Street West, Palmdale. The Evacuation Center at Golden Valley High School was closed.
Large animals can be evacuated to AV Fairgrounds, 2551 W. Avenue H, Lancaster and Pierce College, 6201 Winnetka, Woodland Hills. Hansen Dam and Jack Bones were no longer accepting large animals.
For a full list of road closures, you can check http://dpw.lacounty.gov/roadclosures.
The blaze broke out Friday afternoon along the northbound 14 Freeway near Sand Canyon. The cause of the fire is under investigation.