Evacuations were ordered after a 230-acre brush fire ignited in the Angeles National Forest north of Santa Clarita Monday afternoon, threatening structure, firefighters said.
The blaze, dubbed the Martindale Fire, had exploded to 200 acres in less than 30 minutes, according to Angeles National Forest officials.
The first crews at the scene in the 34700 block of Bouquet Canyon Road around 3:15 p.m. had reported 10 acres of flames moving rapidly to the south through thick vegetation, fire officials said.
The blaze was 20% contained by night. Earlier officials said the fire grew to 300 acres, but through better mapping it was downgraded to 230 acres.
A mandatory evacuation order was in place for about a dozen residences along Bouquet Canyon Road from Bouquet Reservoir Dam south to mile marker 11.5.
An evacuation warning was in effect for residents from mile marker 11.5 to the Texas Canyon Ranger Station.
Bouquet Canyon Road was shut down between Vasquez Canyon and Spunky Canyon roads.
The evacuation orders and road closures would remain in place through the night, L.A. County fire officials said.
Evacuees in need of Red Cross assistance were advised to call 800-675-5799.
The blaze is burning in a remote part of the Angeles National Forest between Santa Clarita and the Antelope Valley.
It broke out hours before a red flag warning was set to expire at 5 p.m. Monday. The temperature in the area was about 87 degrees, and winds were light, only about 5 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
Despite the red flag warning expiring, hazardous fire conditions will linger through Friday with a heat advisory still in effect. On Wednesday, temperatures in some valley and mountain areas could exceed 100 degrees, forecasters said.
Aerial video from Sky5 showed the flames spreading along a ridge in the forest as firefighting aircraft moved in to battle them around 3:30 p.m. Heavy smoke was pouring into the air.
When Sky5 returned to the area around 6 p.m., flames and smoke were no longer visible, and it appeared firefighters had gained the upper hand on the blaze.
More than 12 firefighting aircraft were on scene, including five airtankers, two Super Scoopers, and three helicopters, according to National Forest officials.
The Martindale Fire is about 7 1/2 miles southeast of the Lake Fire that started Aug. 12 and burned more than 31,000 acres. More than 250 fire personnel are still working on that fire, which is largely contained.
Monday’s blaze is more than 20 miles from the northern edge of the 178-square-mile Bobcat Fire, which is on the other side of the 14 Freeway in the northern foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. The Bobcat Fire is 62% contained.
