Three brush fires hit L.A. County
Three brush fires briefly burned across Los Angeles County on Friday, forcing some evacuations and freeway closures. By nightfall, all had been contained.
The first fire broke out about 1:30 p.m. in Santa Clarita near Calgrove Boulevard on the east side of the 5 Freeway. One hundred firefighters and three water-carrying helicopters helped knock down the 15-acre fire by 3:30 p.m., according to Los Angeles County fire officials. The blaze, however, shut down two northbound lanes of the freeway for nearly five hours. They reopened at 7 p.m.
About 20 miles to the northeast, a fire near the 14 Freeway in Acton was reported shortly before 3 p.m. near Escondido Canyon and Hubbard roads. The blaze burned 23 acres and damaged one vehicle, according to Frederic Stowers, a county Fire Department inspector. One person who lived in the area was sickened by smoke inhalation.
More than 150 firefighters battled the blaze, which was contained by 5:30 p.m.
Arson investigators with the county Sheriff’s Department were investigating the cause of both fires, Stowers said.
A small brush fire erupted about 6 p.m. in Los Angeles near Dodger Stadium.
The three-acre blaze was contained in about an hour by nearly 70 firefighters. Water-dropping helicopters were called in because the fire was burning in terrain difficult for firetrucks to reach.
Two lanes on the southbound 110 Freeway were closed briefly while firefighters battled the blaze.
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