Sand Fire: Firefighting Efforts Hampered by Residents Not Following Evacuation Orders, Officials Say

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Residents failing to heed mandatory evacuation orders are hampering the efforts of firefighters batting the raging Sand Fire, authorities said Monday.

Firefighters battle the Sand fire along Soledad Canyon Road near Acton on July 24, 2016. (Credit: Luis Sinco, Los Angeles Times)

Some of the 18 homes destroyed in the Santa Clarita-area wildfire over the weekend burned down after residents failed to evacuate, according to Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich.

The supervisor’s revelation came as he urged residents to following evacuation orders during a morning news briefing on the 33,000-acre wildfire.

“Please listen when the [Los Angeles County] Fire Department, the [L.A. County] Sheriff’s Department warns you that it’s time to evacuate,” Antonovich said.

Residents who have not heeded the orders created additional problems and delays for crews who are frantically working to protect the thousands of homes that are in the out-of-control fire’s path.

“By remaining, you create a problem for the Fire Department to fight the fires, which because of that delay, could also end up having your home burn down, as was in the case as some of the other areas where we’ve already lost 18 homes,” Antonovich said.

A truck and a house burn along Little Tujunga Canyon Road.(Credit: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

About 10,000 homes have been evacuated as of Monday morning.

The evacuation orders were for: the area east of the 14 Freeway, from Golden Valley Road to Sand Canyon Road, excluding the Sand Canyon Mobile Home Park; the east side of Via Princessa from Lost Canyon Road to end of Via Princessa and all streets east; Lost Canyon Road from Via Princessa to the Santa Clara River, and all streets to the east; Sierra Highway at Shady Lane to Sierra Highway at the 14; Escondido at the 14 to Sierra Highway at the 14; Agua Dulce Canyon Road north to the 14 Freeway; Crown Valley Road north to the 14; Soledad Canyon Road between Agua Dulce and Crown Valley; Sand Canyon from Lost Canyon to Bear Divide; Placerita Canyon from the Nature Center to Sand Canyon.

At the same news briefing, a California Highway Patrol sergeant told reporters that there have been instances where CHP officers and sheriff’s deputies have nearly been struck by motorists desperate to return to their homes.

“We have had deputies and officers almost run over by people trying to get to into their homes. That’s not going to help,” Sgt. Kevin Pack said.

Evacuated residents were urged to follow road closures and obey posted signs and barriers.

Pack added that motorists in the area should be driving with “due diligence and care” to avoid becoming an impediment to firefighting efforts or a casualty themselves.

“It’s not worth it,” he said.

Residents looking for additional info about the Sand Fire can call the information hotline at 626-574-5208.