News Photos LA
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Update 8PM:
Officials report that the Powerhouse Fire that burned through northern San Francisquito Canyon on Thursday afternoon is slowing down now that darkness is falling.
The initially fast-moving fire was first reported by an L.A. (City) Department of Water and Power worker at Power House 1 in San Francisquito Canyon near Clearwater Canyon Road at 3:28 p.m.
The fire jumped the canyon road and moved quickly toward Green Valley, where about 250 people were evacuated. The Green Valley evacuations are to be lifted at 10 p.m. and residents will be allowed into the area at that time.
On the south, San Francisquito Canyon Road is closed at this hour at Copper Hill Drive. On the north, traffic is not being allowed south of Spunky Canyon Road.
Five hikers in the area were located and brought to safety. Authorities are trying to make contact with additional hikers in the area.
Update 7PM:
Five of the six hikers have been found and will be escorted out of the fire area. One lone hiker is still outstanding.
Nine more hikers are on the Pacific Crest Trail, about 3 hours west of the Green Valley ranger station.
Road closures per L.A. County Public Works: Castaic/Lake Hughes,Agua Dulce,Castaic/Val Verde: San Fransiquito Canyon, Spunky Canyon to Copper Hill.
State fire officials say the fire has burned 1,000 acres as of 6:45 p.m.
News Photos LA
Update 6:30PM:
About 250 residents have been evacuated from Green Valley. Officials are contemplating evacuations in Lake Hughes and Lake Elizabeth.
The fire stands at 600 acres as of 5:45 p.m.
Officials are concerned that five or six civilian hikers are reported to be in the area.
Two adults and three minors have been transported to various area hospitals with injuries stemming from a car crash.
Update 5:36PM:
Evacuations have been ordered for Green Valley.
The fire is at 500 to 600 acres, according to state fire officials, and is spotting in numerous places.
It is moving toward Lake Hughes and Lake Elizabeth.
CAL FIRE officials say it “looks like it might go big.”
Search and rescue teams from both the Santa Clarita and Palmdale Sheriff’s stations have been called in to assist.
Edison officials are on scene and are “monitoring the fire burning in and around our power lines.”
The National Weather Service reports south winds of 15 mph gusting to 24 mph; temperature 86 degrees; relative humidity 35 percent.
STATEMENT from L.A. Department of Water & Power:
A fire broke out near the LADWP Power Plant 1 in San Francisquito Canyon at 3:28 p.m. today. Although no water or power service has been affected, LADWP is monitoring the situation vigilantly and will take appropriate action as needed to ensure water and power service is not interrupted.
The fire was first observed by a power plant station operator burning just north of the Power Plant 1 near San Francisquito Canyon Road. The Los Angeles County Fire Department, which has a camp nearby, responded to the fire.
LADWP officials said no water or power supplies have been affected at this time, though crews are monitoring the situation closely.
Closure at Copper Hill | Photo by Ryan Drake
View from Saugus | Photo by Kimberly Sowa Kramer
Update 4:45PM:
The fire has jumped the road and is moving quickly toward Green Valley.
More sheriff units are arriving to handle evacuations if they are ordered.
At one point the fire was burning directly under Southern California Edison’s major transmission lines at Power House 1.
On the south, San Francisquito Canyon Road is closed at Copper Hill.
The view from Oak Ridge Drive and Via Princessa | Photo by Jose Sandobal
Original story:
Firefighters are battling a brush fire on both sides of San Francisquito Canyon Road, near Clearwater Canyon Road, in the Angeles National Forest.
“It’s got a rapid rate of spread, and it’s burning uphill,” said John Wagner, United States Forest Service spokesman. “The name of the fire is the Powerhouse Fire.”
Los Angeles County Fire Department officials and U.S. Forest Service officials are part of approximately 100 units on the scene.
“Right now, there are about 100 personnel out there, including engines and dozers,” Wagner said.
No evacuations have been called for at this time, but if the blaze continues, there are structures being threatened.
The fire has jumped the road and is moving quickly toward Green Valley.
More sheriff units are arriving to handle evacuations if they are ordered.
At one point the fire was burning directly under Southern California Edison’s major transmission lines at Power House 1.
On the south, San Francisquito Canyon Road is closed at Copper Hill.
Jessica Boyer / AM-1220 KHTS
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3 Comments
I used to live in Green Valley. Beautiful place but covered with huge oak trees and a very densely populated small valley. We had a fire blast through in July, 1989 which missed Green Valley but damaged Leona Valley and Lake Hughes. Keeping fingers crossed for everyone and their animals.
Things are calming down up here… but wish we could get more updates on road closures..waiting to be allowed to go home
Apparently the CHP has opened the Canyon at Copperhill for residents only. Check the CHP website if ever in question. Best wishes to you all.