SANTA CLARITA (CNS) - A brush fire burning in the Castaic Canyons area near Santa Clarita has blackened 230 acres and was 40% contained this morning as evacuation orders remained in place for at least 10 homes.
The Martindale Fire broke out at 3 p.m. Monday in the 34700 block of Bouquet Canyon Road, about two miles southwest of the Bouquet Reservoir, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The cause of the fire was under investigation.
More than 12 aircraft were dispatched to battle the blaze, including five airtankers, two Super Scoopers and three helicopters.
Firefighters reported that the fire was burning in medium brush amid gusty winds Monday, during the last hours of a red flag warning for extreme fire danger due to low humidity and Santa Ana winds. The Angeles National Forest declared a second alarm, with air tankers and additional resources summoned.
Evacuation orders were issued for about 10-12 homes on Bouquet Canyon Road from the Bouquet Reservoir Dam, south to mile marker 11.5, and evacuation warnings were issued for residents on Bouquet Canyon Road from mile marker 11.5 to Texas Canyon Ranger Station at 30800 Bouquet Canyon Road.
The evacuations remained in place Tuesday as a precaution. Bouquet Canyon Road was closed from Vasquez Canyon north to the reservoir, and the closure was continuing Tuesday, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
Firefighters were able to make good progress on the fire since many personnel were close by, fighting the 114,200-acre Bobcat Fire about 20 miles away.
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