Wildfire in Castaic grows to 350 acres
A brush fire in Castaic has grown to 350 acres and temporarily forced the evacuation of19 homes as more than 100 firefighters continue to battle the blaze.
Inspector Keith Mora of the Los Angeles County Fire Department said no structures have been damaged and no injuries have been reported. But low-level smoke has limited visibility during evacuations.
Mora said four homes on Elk Ridge Road and 15 on Vista Point Place were evacuated, but the order was rescinded about 4:40 p.m. “The evacuations are precautionary,” Mora said.
Mora told The Times that the department received a call about 1:23 p.m. Friday reporting that a car may have started a brush fire. Responding personnel arrived to find a blaze that “rapidly” spread to 40 acres.
At the time, Mora said that Northlake Hills Elementary School was the only structure threatened by the fire. The school was on lockdown until 2:30 p.m., at which point students were dismissed, said Lisa Bloom, a spokeswoman for the Castaic Unified School District.
Though Mora said a containment figure was not available, he said the winds were pushing the fire northwest toward Castaic Lake.
Officials said 115 firefighters, four water-dropping helicopters and six fixed-wing aircrafts were assisting with the firefight.
ALSO:
16-year-old boy arrested in high school ‘sexting’ scandal
Grand fire costs estimated at $1.3 million; 4,100 acres burned
Kai, the hatchet-wielding hitchhiker, arrested on suspicion of murder
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
