The Calgrove Fire, which erupted next to I-5 lanes, just north of SR-14, is spreading northeast and has scorched 100 acres. About 450 Los Angeles city, county and U.S. Forest Service crews are battling the greater alarm fire. One firefighter suffered minor burn injuries, according to Los Angeles County Fire officials. An ambulance was called out to the scene.
PHOTOS: Calgrove Fire burns in Santa Clarita
Fire officials say the mobile home park and single-family homes were threatened. Part of a garage was reported damaged, according to Los Angeles County Fire Department Deputy Chief John Tripp.
A view of the fire behind The Master's College in Santa Clarita. #abc7now pic.twitter.com/fmVrsRi5Fg
— JPK (@josephpkeller) June 25, 2015
About 1,000 people and 500 homes have been evacuated from the following areas:
- Crescent Valley Mobile Estates, located in the 23500 block of The Old Road
- Oakbridge Lane
- Wildwood Canyon Road
- La Salle Canyon Drive
- Champagne Lane
- Pine Street, south of Railroad Avenue
- All homes south of Calgrove Boulevard
An evacuation center has been set up at West Ranch High School, 26255 W. Valencia Blvd., in Stevenson Ranch. An emergency animal evacuation center has also been set up at William S. Hart Park, 24151 Newhall Ave., in Newhall. Pierce College, 6201 Winnetka Ave., in Woodland Hills is taking in livestock from evacuated areas.
#Firehawk #helicopter works in close to the flames to drop water & slow the fire's advance toward homes #CalgroveFire pic.twitter.com/7ujIg495Ud
— LACoFireAirOps (@LACoFireAirOps) June 24, 2015
#BREAKINGNEWS #CalgroveFire flames along the Old Road in #SantaClarita. Near evacuated mobile home park pic.twitter.com/g1NaWIxJT5
— Elex Michaelson (@ABC7Elex) June 24, 2015
Heavy brush is fueling the flames, which are surging through dry canyons near the Angeles National Forest.
Seven helicopters and four fixed-wing air crafts are dropping 1,000 gallons of water at a time on the flames, which have sent up an enormous ridge of smoke.
A smoke advisory has been issued for the Santa Clarita Valley by the South Coast Air Quality Management District. Residents in the area are asked to avoid vigorous outdoor and indoor activities, and keep doors and windows closed. Those with respiratory problems should remain indoors.
Both directions of the 5 Freeway were closed at times due to the firefight. The Old Road was also closed. California Institute of the Arts closed its campus in Valencia for the rest of the afternoon due to the fire.
Los Angeles County firefighters also responded to a five-acre brush fire that broke out near Soledad Canyon Road and Shadow Pines Boulevard in northern Santa Clarita. About 12 homes near the area were temporarily evacuated. Active flames were no longer visible shortly before 6 p.m., according to Los Angeles County Fire officials.
City News Service and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Traffic on I-5 in #SantaClarita area very slow due to #CalgroveFire. Avoid area. Consider SR-14 as alternate. pic.twitter.com/4YhyTXnAVZ
— Caltrans District 7 (@CaltransDist7) June 24, 2015
#santaclarita residents nervously watch #calgrovefire #ABC7Eyewitness no evacuation order 4 them pic.twitter.com/FBdbG1NAbb
— Sid Garcia (@ABC7Sid) June 24, 2015
#BREAKINGNEWS #CalgroveFire now at 85 acres. Evacs underway of mobile home park. Big backup on 5 freeway. pic.twitter.com/gRTGA7o7L9
— Elex Michaelson (@ABC7Elex) June 24, 2015
#CalgroveFire flames have now burned 100 acres, per @LACoFDPIO Firefighters are doing structure protection. pic.twitter.com/RyFMrU4jrH
— Marc Cota-Robles (@ABC7MarcCR) June 24, 2015
#BREAKINGNEWS As #CalgroveFire spreads in #SantaClarita area, #traffic backup is getting worse. Avoid 5 North if poss pic.twitter.com/97sV6whYcx
— Elex Michaelson (@ABC7Elex) June 24, 2015