header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
December 20
1892 - Benjamin Harrison establishes 555,520-acre San Gabriel Timberland Reserve (Angeles National Forest). First forest reserve in California, second in U.S. [story]
map


[KHTS] – The Warm Fire in Castaic that burned about 300 acres was the result of arson, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department investigators.

The Warm Fire began around 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, in the area near the Warm Springs Rehab Center on Lake Hughes Road in Castaic, according to Angeles National Forest officials.

“We’re working with several other agencies including the Forestry Department to identify the suspect or suspects and to determine the (specific) cause,” Sgt. Robert Boese with the LASD Arson and Explosives Unit.

No civilian injuries were reported, according to ANF.

During the fight to contain the fire, two firefighters were relived of their duties due to injuries and about 170 personnel worked to extinguish the fire, while battling rough and steep terrain.

The fire, which was located near Lake Hughes Road, burned six structures, according to ANF officials.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department employed two helicopters and a DC-10 air tanker were used to fight the fire.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Forestry Department are continuing their investigation to identify the suspect or suspects, and cause.

 

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

21 Comments

  1. Isn’t it a shame that those empty boarded up buildings couldn’t house homeless folks

    • That would be smart

    • Doug Henslee says:

      They probably already do, how do you think the fire started?
      Two sticks were cold and decided to rub themselves together to stay warm?

    • I’m talking about opening it up and organizing the area to offer housing to those in need so they aren’t building fires in the surrounding areas to keep warm. I’m well aware that it was most likely started by someone starting a fire in the bushes or some small out building; doubt it was they homeless as they have enough brains to rip the wood off the buildings windows to gain entry rather than huddle outside.

      • John G says:

        That is wonderful idea ma’am! However may I suggest an even greater idea, why not rebuild it back up and re-open for the suffering and poor addicts that there is so unfortunately an abundance of on this planet. I don’t know if you have ever had to battle hardcore addiction that unfortunately that so many addicts do daily on this planet. Here is a great suggestion. Watch the The sustainable human. The video is called the hungry ghost inside of us and it’s nararreted by a true living genius Dr. Gabor Mate. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do everytime I watch it.

      • John G says:

        That is wonderful idea ma’am! However may I suggest an even greater idea, why not rebuild it back up and re-open for the suffering and poor addicts that there is so unfortunately an abundance of on this planet. I don’t know if you have ever had to battle hardcore addiction that unfortunately that so many addicts do daily on this planet. Here is a great suggestion. Watch the The sustainable human. The video is called the hungry ghost inside of us and it’s nararreted by a true living genius Dr. Gabor Mate. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do everytime I watch it. May God bless you always.

    • Natalie says:

      That’s a wonderful idea that will never happen. Santa Clarita doesn’t have homeless people don’t you know. (sarcasm)

    • Shelters already exist in nearby cities…for those homeless souls that truly need the “shelter” & assistance to get back on their feet. ?

    • There are not enough shelters and/or they are not in areas that the homeless prefer as many still use the wash, dumpster enclosures etc. This place may be more of the type of setting that would benefit some of them and currently it is not being used for anything.

    • Shipping homeless people 20 miles away into a remote part of the forest with no county services & job centers or schools – where Warm Springs is – would not serve them and would not work, even if they could get there. The place could be (could have been) used for a commune, which our homeless population isn’t.

    • I agree Debbi. And SCVTV do you honestly think there aren’t homeless (or people in danger of becoming homeless) out there already? Some homeless people have cars (and live in them). People you encounter every day may be homeless unbeknownst to you. Providing additional access to help does not have to involve “shipping” people like freight. You run into other issues such as staffing, cost of supplies, electricity, etc. but it’s the business side that is the problem, not the lack of need.

    • Thank you Melynda, It’s nice to see that some of us still think outside the box to obtain reachable goals.

    • Tami Marie says:

      Pretty sure in this story I just read it does not state anything about how it started, just that it’s being investigated as Arson. One shouldn’t just assume it was started by a homeless person.

    • Eric Heberer says:

      Is he awake bring him down out back

  2. Anonymous says:

    Alison – was this the fire we saw on the way home from Beth’s?

  3. Grant Thomas says:

    Kathie Tillinghast

  4. They have a security guard 24/7 , right by those buildings

  5. Ckay Walker says:

    Arson is intentionally setting fire for the purpose of destroying and burning. Not for warmth or physical need.

  6. Bob Porter says:

    Majority of homeless would not go there, there are no liquor stores or close in drug dealers. Again I say the majority not all homeless.

  7. DaveO says:

    I just happened on this and am very much saddened to find that the place that saved my life has been treated so. If it wasn’t for Warm Springs and the month or so that I stayed there, I wouldn’t have had the time or chance to get back on my feet again. It was one of the best times and turning point of my life. I only can hope that one day, some bureaucrat with some sense can find a way to reopen this facility, and give alcoholics and addicts a chance to start again.

    • L.Lewis says:

      Dave O – my husband started his recovery journey there also. I hope there are alternatives since Warm Springs has closed. We moved out of the area, and I was sad to see it has closed, and suffered this fire.

Leave a Comment


SCV NewsBreak
LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
Friday, Dec 19, 2025
Gibbon Center Needs Donations to Meet $15K Match
The Gibbon Conservation Center in Saugus is requesting donations, including memberships and gibbon adoption sponsorships to reach a matching goal of $15,000.
Friday, Dec 19, 2025
Friday, Dec 19, 2025
City Presents ‘Pop Culture’ Art Exhibit at the Newhall Community Center
The city of Santa Clarita will present its latest art exhibition, “Pop Culture,” on view at the Newhall Community Center now through March 25, 2026.
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1892 - Benjamin Harrison establishes 555,520-acre San Gabriel Timberland Reserve (Angeles National Forest). First forest reserve in California, second in U.S. [story]
map
The Saugus Union School District Governing Board of Trustees elected Matthew Watson as 2026 board president at the Tuesday, Dec. 16 organizational meeting.
Watson Elected SUSD Board of Trustees President
Los Angeles–based painter Jasimen Phillips is a featured artist in the city of Santa Clarita’s “Pop Culture” exhibition, currently on view at the Newhall Community Center through March 25, 2026.
Phillips Examines Evolving Relationship with Technology in Exhibit
The Gibbon Conservation Center in Saugus is requesting donations, including memberships and gibbon adoption sponsorships to reach a matching goal of $15,000.
Gibbon Center Needs Donations to Meet $15K Match
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees failed to complete its annual organizational vote to elect a new board president during its meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
COC Board Fails to Elect New President in Deadlocked Vote
There's no better way to celebrate the season than with toys, treats, and rollercoasters. My annual Foster Youth Holiday Party is one of the most special traditions we do each year
Kathryn Barger | Keeping Up With Kathryn
The Canyon Theatre Guild’s production of "A Christmas Story," adds shows due to high ticket demand. Shows have been added on Sunday, Dec. 21 and Monday, Dec. 22.
CTG ‘A Christmas Story’ Adds Shows, Dec. 21-22, Due to Demand
The city of Santa Clarita will present its latest art exhibition, “Pop Culture,” on view at the Newhall Community Center now through March 25, 2026.
City Presents ‘Pop Culture’ Art Exhibit at the Newhall Community Center
This week’s Foothill League matches resulted in the Saugus boys getting a firmer grip on first place, and the Saugus girls slipping into second place. Meanwhile, holiday tournaments are bringing both wins and losses from non-league teams, with more on the way.
Foothill League Soccer: Saugus Boys, Hart Girls Leading
1970 - Snow day in Santa Clarita Valley [photos]
Saugus train station
Do you have a passion for swimming and a desire to make an impact in your community? The city of Santa Clarita is seeking individuals with strong customer service skills and a commitment to community engagement to join its lifeguard team.
Applications Are Open for the Summer 2026 Lifeguard Season
Santa Clarita Valley residents need to put down the yule log and refrain from all residental wood burning fires on Friday, Dec. 19.
Dec. 19: No Burn Day Alert Issued for SCV, South Coast Air Basin
U.S. Rep. George Whitesides (D-Aqua Dulce), announced the winners of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge for California’s 27th Congressional District: the “MathViz” team led by local Academy of the Canyons student, Gautham Korrapati.
Whitesides Announces 2025 Congressional App Challenge SCV Winners
The Mardi Gras Madness 1K/5K/10K, set for March 1, in Santa Clarita, is more than a race, it’s a celebration of health, community and giving back. Now through Wednesday, Dec. 24, take $10 OFF race registration with promo code WINTER10 at checkout.
March 1: JCI Santa Clarita Holds Mardi Gras Madness 1K/5K/10K Runs
Theatre Extempore will present the all time classic musical The Fantasticks, 8-10 p.m. Jan. 9-11. 15-18 at The MAIN.
Jan. 9: Premiere of ‘The Fantasticks’ Presented by Theatre Extempore
West Ranch High School senior Braulio Castillo (17) never did any long-distance running before high school, but what he has accomplished in that demanding discipline since taking it up is impressive. And, so far his senior year, it is phenomenal.
West Ranch Runner Going the Distance
Powerlab Studio will hold its grand opening and ribbon cutting 4:30-5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8 at 28110 Newhall Ranch Road, Valencia, CA 91355.
Jan 8: Powerlab Studio Grand Opening, Ribbon Cutting
B2 Entertainment will have a Cookies With Santa event, 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21 at 21516 Golden Triangle Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Dec. 21: Cookies With Santa at MB2 Entertainment
The College of the Canyons soccer programs will be hosting 'Friday Night Footy,' small-sided pick-up games, running on Friday evenings Jan. 2 through June 26 at the COC Soccer Facility.
Jan. 2-June 26: Cougars Soccer Programs to Host ‘Friday Night Footy’
College of the Canyons sophomore pitcher Nichole Muro will continue her academic and athletic career at Cumberland University after signing with the Phoenix softball program.
Muro Signs with Cumberland University Softball Program
College of the Canyons men's basketball won its fourth straight contest in an 80-72 affair at Napa Valley College on Monday afternoon, Dec. 15 as freshman Julius Washington led all scorers with 20 points.
Cougars Win Fourth Straight 80-72 at Napa Valley
Canyons women's basketball snapped a five-game losing streak with a 60-44 win over Diablo Valley College during the final day of action at the Napa Valley Storm Surge tournament on Saturday, Dec. 13.
Canyons Finishes Tourney Weekend with 60-44 Win Over Diablo Valley
1929 - Swift justice: Thomas Vernon sentenced to life in prison for Saugus train derailment & robbery 1 month earlier [story]
Tom Vernon
SCVNews.com