Several brush fires erupted overnight amid windy conditions and a Red Flag warning around Southern California, including one fire in the Castiac area that burned 86 acres of brush.
According to the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the fire in Castaic was first reported at 3:44 a.m. in the 26900 block of Tapia Canyon Road. Firefighters on the ground and in helicopters worked overnight to contain the fire, which reached 60 percent by 10:30 Monday morning. No structures are threatened in the area.
Several other fires broke out over night, but most were quickly extinguished by responding fire crews. The night began at around 12:35 a.m. in El Sereno where a fire scorched about an acre near 2608 North Eastern Ave. Then, at about 2 a.m. another fire was reported at the Sepulveda Basin in Lake Balboa. That fire burned about 4 acres near 6049 North Woodley Ave. before it was extinguished three hours later. Some crews remained on the scene to help douse hot spots.
Finally, another brush fire broke out at 2:40 a.m. burned nearly one acre in Eagle Rock near 4701 North Townsend Ave. before it was brought under control by firefighters within an hour.
Fire crews remain on guard Monday as a red flag warning signifying a high risk of wildfires is in effect for much of Southern California today. Gusty winds and very low humidity have been forecast for Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
According to the National Weather Service, strong and gusty north-to-northwest winds will buffet the San Gabriel Mountains in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Gusty winds are also forecast for the Santa Monica Mountains, as well as the Santa Clarita and San Fernando Valleys, the Los Angeles County Coast and Ventura County Valleys.
Gusts will get up to 40-to-50 mile-per-hour range, with some gusts reaching up to 55mph in the Santa Monica Mountains.
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