Tick fire jumps 14 Freeway in Santa Clarita Valley, prompting new evacuations – LA Daily News

Uploaded by on October 25, 2019 at 6:14 pm

Thanks! Share it with your friends!

Close

The 4,300-acre Tick fire continued to rage in northern Los Angeles County, jumping the 14 Freeway early Friday morning, Oct. 25, leading to a new evacuations as powerful winds continued to pummel the region.

Authorities closed the 14 Freeway about 3 a.m. between Escondido Canyon and Golden Valley and will open it “when it’s safe,” said Capt. Edward Krusey of the California Highway Patrol.

At least six structures had been destroyed, with damage sustained to a  number of others, fire officials said. It’s unclear how many others sustained damage. Erratic winds were expected throughout the day.

No injuries have been reported.

Expand

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby said during a Friday morning news conference that nearly 600 firefighters are working to battle the blaze with more than 15,000 structures threatened. The blaze was reported as only 5% contained Friday morning after chewing through 300-plus acres overnight, with six helicopters and four air tankers working to quell the flames.

“This afternoon, our firefighters will be working with law enforcement to address potential areas that can be repopulated,” Osby said. “We are sensitive to the fact that people can’t go home, but that decision is made on safety.”

MORE: This map shows where the wildfires are burning in LA County

Still, officials said, erratic winds could cause serious problems for firefighters, with other evacuations possible later in the day.

An estimated 40,000 residents are on evacuation orders, with more added Friday when all residents of the Sand Canyon Road area from the 14 Freeway to Placerita Canyon Road in Santa Clarita were also told to leave.

Those in the stretch east of Rolling Hills Avenue and north of Diver Street in Canyon County were also instructed to get out of the area, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

The Fair Oaks area south of the Antelope Valley Freeway in Canyon Country remained under a voluntary evacuation order, authorities said.

Health officials expanded a smoke advisory to the weekend in Santa Clarita and San Fernando valleys.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a smoke advisory after the fire broke out Thursday and extended it through Saturday morning. Winds are expected to push smoke Friday toward Santa Clarita, Porter Ranch, Simi Valley, Calabasas and the San Fernando Valley, health officials said.

The air quality may cause “unhealthy” conditions for sensitive groups, according to officials.

By midday, fire crews were fighting the blaze on Sequoia Road above the 14 Freeway.

Santa Clarita resident Linda Hanlon was warned of the fire when a neighbor came by around 1 a.m. Friday, asking her to look at the hill engulfed in flames near her home. Hanlon began packing.

But she found the evacuation “totally disorganized” as officers were taking residents to roads that were shut down, Hanlon said, adding that it was the sixth time she has had to evacuate in the 34 years she has lived in the area.

An estimated 10,000 structures, authorities said Friday morning, were threatened.

The fire was first reported Thursday afternoon near the 31600 block of Tick Canyon Road in Canyon Country, earning it the moniker of the Tick fire.

It quickly swelled.

A new evacuation center opened at West Ranch High School, 26255 Valencia Blvd. in Santa Clarita, according to the L.A. County Fire Department.

The following centers were accepting large animals:

  • Castaic Animal Care Center at 31044 Charlie Canyon Rd. in Castaic
  • Antelope Valley Fairgrounds at 2551 W. Ave. H in Lancaster
  • Pierce College at 6201 Winnetka Ave. in Woodland Hills

L.A. County fire officials have scheduled a news briefing for 5 p.m.

We are providing free access to this article. Please consider supporting local journalism like this by purchasing a subscription. Click here for our 99-cent, 13-week trial offer.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Source Article from http://www.dailynews.com/tick-fire-jumps-14-freeway-in-santa-clarita-valley-prompting-new-evacuations

Comments

Write a comment