SANTA CLARITA, Calif. — Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday declared a state of emergency in L.A. County due to the Tick Fire, which continued to rage out of control and threatened thousands of homes after jumping State Route 14 in the Sand Canyon area of Santa Clarita, KTLA reported.
As of 9:30 a.m., the fire has burned 4,300 acres and is just 5% contained, the Los Angeles County Fire Department said. Approximately 600 firefighters have been assigned to the blaze.
Sand Canyon has been evacuated from SR-14 to Placerita Canyon Road, while the Fair Oaks area remains under voluntary orders, according to the city’s emergency website.
The fast-moving fire erupted about 1:24 p.m. Thursday in the 31600 block of Tick Canyon Road in Agua Dulce and quickly spread to neighboring Santa Clarita.
The blaze prompted closures along SR-14 Thursday night before flames eventually jumped to the other side overnight.
A SigAlert was issued about 2:30 a.m. for the closure of all lanes between Golden Valley and Escondido Canyon for an unknown duration, according to the California Highway Patrol.
READ ABOUT SAN DIEGO FIRE DANGER HERE
Irene Navarro uses a garden hose to water down vegetation around her property as the Tick Fire burns nearby on October 24, 2019 in Canyon Country, California. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Homes Lost, Thousands of Structures Threatened
The Tick Fire destroyed least six structures have been destroyed, but that figure will increase once teams are able to fully inspect the area, according to officials.
“We know that number is going to rise today as we have our damage assessment teams out,” L.A. County Fire Department Chief Daryl Osby said.
More than 15,000 structures remain threatened, he added.
The Tick Fire flared up Friday morning, resulting in more homes catching fire.
One home was engulfed in flames about 4 a.m. in the 29500 Arches Lane, video from the scene showed. Gusty winds were blowing embers sideways and threatening other homes in the tightly packed neighborhood.
Smoke appeared to be coming from the attic space of another home near the burning structure.
As the sun rose, Sky5 video discovered several more burned out homes in the Canyon Country area.
Mandatory evacuations in place
More than 40,000 residents remain under evacuation orders as of 9:30 a.m. Friday.
“This is the largest evacuation we’ve had in Santa Clarita, over 50,000 last night. It could be more,” said L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger.
Mandatory evacuations were in place for about 40,000 people, according to fire officials. The following areas are listed under the orders:
- North of SR-14: From Bouquet Canyon Road and Vasquez Canyon Road down to Soledad Canyon Road; from White Canyon Road and Plum Canyon Road to Sierra Highway and Davenport Road
- South of SR-14 — east and west of Sand Canyon Road to Placerita Canyon Road
Shelters are available to evacuees at College of the Canyons, Valencia Campus located at 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road in Santa Clarita, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department stated.
Another evacuation center opened Friday at West Ranch High School at 26255 Valencia Blvd.
Residents with small animals were being directed to Castaic Animal Care Center at 31044 North Charlie Canyon Road, or any L.A. County Animal Shelter.
Large animals can be brought to the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds located at 2551 W. Avenue H in Lancaster.
Pierce College in Woodland Hills was initially accepting large animals, but the location was closed by 9 p.m. Thursday, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Santa Clarita said it would be posting public safety updates on its emergency website.
School closures
Several school districts have canceled classes due to poor air quality Friday. The following schools have asked students to stay home until further notice:
- William S. Hart Union High School District
- Saugus Union School District
- Castaic Union School District
- Los Angeles Unified School Districts schools within the San Fernando Valley
- Fillmore Unified School District
- Mupu School District
Critical fire weather
The Santa Clarita area is under a red flag warning as strong winds continue to blow Friday. Gusts of 45 to55 mph were expected to continue in the Tick Fire area through Friday morning, the National Weather Service said.
A combination of high temperatures and low humidity will add to the firefighting challenges.
No injuries connected to the fire have been reported.
The cause is under investigation.
Check back for updates on this developing story.
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