200 Acres Burn; No Injuries, Structural Damage Reported
A Christmas Day brush fire fanned by 20-mph winds blackened 200 acres near the Antelope Valley Freeway on Monday before it was brought under control at dusk, Los Angeles County fire officials said.
The blaze broke out around 3:25 p.m. in a rocky, brush-covered area near the freeway and Soledad Canyon Road, said Capt. Brian Jordan of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
No injuries or damage to homes was reported.
At the fire’s peak, 300 firefighters from L.A. County and the U.S. Forest Service battled the flames.
Four water-dropping helicopters, including two from the city of Los Angeles, also were used, Jordan said.
Crews were hampered by high winds and low humidity, as well as the dry and rugged land.
Even so, firefighters had the blaze mostly extinguished by 5:15 p.m., Jordan said.
The fire burned within sight of several structures, including a home and corrals.
Some nearby residents loaded up their vehicles and voluntarily evacuated the area, just in case the flames threatened their homes.
The cause of the blaze was unknown but under investigation, Jordan said.
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