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
March 18
1919 - Fire destroys abandoned second Southern Hotel, built 1878 in Newhall (corner Main & Market) [story]
Second Southern Hotel


| Thursday, Sep 1, 2022
Route Fire
Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.


Update from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station as of 2:45 p.m.:

– #RouteFire is burning at 5,208 acres with 12% containment.

– Old Ridge Route Road (between Templin Highway and Northlake Hills Elementary) has been reopened for residential traffic only. Have your ID ready to show officials.

– Interstate 5 is open in both directions with significant traffic and delays due to lane closures in the northbound and southbound lanes. Please drive carefully and be alert for emergency crews still battling the fire.

Continue to monitor www.lacounty.gov/emergency for updates and resources.

Original post from 9 a.m. Thursday:

The Route Fire, which erupted at approximately 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in Castaic, has burned 5,209 acres as of 7:30 a.m. Thursday and is currently at 12% containment, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Evacuation orders were still in effect north of Northlake Hills Elementary School, south of Templin Highway, Paradise Valley east of Interstate 5 and west of Castaic Lagoon.

Caltrans announced only one lane on the northbound lane of I-5 and Templin highway is open, with two southbound lanes open. Traffic in both directions has been impacted, while fire crews continue to get a handle on the blaze.

During a press conference Thursday morning, LACoFD Deputy Fire Chief Thomas Ewald said seven firefighters were transported to the hospital and treated for heat-related injuries. All have been released from the hospital and “they’re all are doing well.”

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose Fifth District includes the Santa Clarita Valley, released the following statement regarding the Route Fire currently burning near Castaic:

“I want to thank the brave firefighters who are giving it their all to battle this wildfire. Their efforts are nothing short of Herculean, given the heat and extremely difficult working conditions.

Their labor is also a reminder for us all to practice responsible and safe recreation as the Labor Day holiday approaches. Most wildfires are caused by human carelessness. Campfires, discarding lit cigarettes, playing with fireworks – all can trigger a blaze. We all need to do our part to keep our communities safe.”

For fire safety resources, download the Fire Department’s Ready! Set! Go! Guide at fire.lacounty.gov/rsg today.

Visit ready.lacounty.gov to access the latest emergency preparedness tips.

Route Fire Evacuation Centers

The American Red Cross Los Angeles and Central California regions opened two evacuation shelters Wednesday evening for those affected by the Route fire near Paradise Mobile Estates in northern L.A. County. Shelters are located at Frazier Mountain High School, 700 Falcon Way, Lebec, CA 93243 and West Ranch High School 26255 West Valencia Blvd., Stevenson Ranch, CA 91381. Both shelters will remain open 24/7 and available to anyone displaced by the Route Fire.

Domestic family pets are welcomed and must be in a travel carrier or pet crate, with limited capacity for pets at West Ranch High School. Additional pet sheltering is available at Castaic Animal Care Center, at 31044 Charlie Canyon Road, Castaic, CA 91384.

Providing life-sustaining shelter during wildfires and other disasters is a mission focus for the Red Cross. We safely deliver essential services while maintaining current Department of Public Health and Center for Disease Control COVID-19 safety protocols

Red Cross is dedicated to alleviating the suffering of those affected by disasters. We work closely with local emergency management teams and our community partners to coordinate relief efforts. Trained Red Cross volunteers and staff are on call around-the-clock and ready to assist in aspects such as providing shelter, meals, disaster assessment, resources and more.

Wildfire Safety

A wildfire can spread very quickly, leaving you little time to get to safety. Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice and obey all evacuation orders from officials.

– Back your car into the garage or park it outside, facing the direction of your evacuation route.

– Keep your pets in one room, so you can find them if you need to evacuate quickly.

– Limit exposure to smoke and dust. Keep indoor air clean by closing windows and doors to prevent outside smoke from getting in.

– Don’t use anything that burns, such as candles, fireplaces and gas stoves.

If you’re trapped outdoors, crouch in a pond, river or pool.

– Don’t put wet clothing or bandanas over your mouth or nose, as moist air can cause more damage to your airway than dry air at the same temperature.
– If there is no body of water, look for shelter in a cleared area or among a bed of rocks. Lie flat, face-down and cover your body with soil. Breathe the air close to the ground to avoid scorching your lungs or inhaling smoke.

Don’t return home until officials say it’s safe to do so.

– Inspect the roof immediately and extinguish any sparks or embers. Wildfires may have left embers that could reignite.

– Check your home for embers that could cause fires. Look for signs of a fire including smoke or sparks.

– Avoid damaged or downed power lines, poles and wires.

– Keep a close eye on your animals. Hidden embers and hot spots could burn them.

– Wet down debris to minimize breathing in dust particles.

– Wear work gloves and shoes with heavy soles.

– Throw out any food that has been exposed to heat, smoke or soot.

– Please follow @RedCrossLA on Twitter for the latest updates. Visit redcross.org/wildfire for information on how to prepare for, respond to and recover from wildfires.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/la or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossLA or @CruzRojaLA.

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.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Leave a Comment


SCV NewsBreak
Current Time 0:00
/
Duration Time 0:00
Loaded: 0%
0:00
Progress: 0%
Stream TypeLIVE
Remaining Time -0:00
 
1x
LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
Monday, Mar 17, 2025
June 21: Santa Clarita Dodger Day Returns
The city of Santa Clarita invites residents to purchase tickets for the 46th Annual city of Santa Clarita Dodger Day.
Monday, Mar 17, 2025
Schiavo Advances Public, Victim, Small Business Safety Legislation
Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, D-Chatsworth, has introduced a legislation package which includes the Victim and Witness Protection Act (AB 535), Small Business Retail Theft Grants (AB 949), Police Pension Tax Exemption (AB 814) and protecting funding for crime victims (VOCA Funding Act) in the state budget.
Monday, Mar 17, 2025
March 17-22: Eight Productions Filming in SCV
The city of Santa Clarita Film Office has released the list of eight productions filming in the Santa Clarita Valley for the week of Monday, March 17 to Saturday, March 22.
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1919 - Fire destroys abandoned second Southern Hotel, built 1878 in Newhall (corner Main & Market) [story]
Second Southern Hotel
The regular meeting of the William S. Hart Union High School District Governing Board of Trustees will be held Wednesday, March 19, beginning with a closed session at 6:15 p.m., followed by an open session at 7 p.m.
March 19: Hart Board Considers Appointment of Fiscal Services Director
Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce for a Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting at Beyond Harmony Medical Spa & Luxury Aesthetics, Wednesday, March 26 at 4 p.m.
March 26: Beyond Harmony Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting
The city of Santa Clarita invites residents to purchase tickets for the 46th Annual city of Santa Clarita Dodger Day.
June 21: Santa Clarita Dodger Day Returns
The Small Business Development Center and city of Santa Clarita will host two Enhancing Your Digital Footprint series webinars, noon-1 p.m. Wednesdays, March 19 and 26.
March 19, 26: Enhancing Your Digital Footprint Series
Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, D-Chatsworth, has introduced a legislation package which includes the Victim and Witness Protection Act (AB 535), Small Business Retail Theft Grants (AB 949), Police Pension Tax Exemption (AB 814) and protecting funding for crime victims (VOCA Funding Act) in the state budget.
Schiavo Advances Public, Victim, Small Business Safety Legislation
On Wednesday, April 2 6-8:30 p.m., Serata Italiana, the renowned Italian language and culture club, will host an exclusive event at Total Wine & More featuring real estate expert Natalie Blancardi and a virtual introduction to Italian attorney Antonello Pierro.
April 2: Total Wine & More Hosts Serata Italiana Event
The city of Santa Clarita Film Office has released the list of eight productions filming in the Santa Clarita Valley for the week of Monday, March 17 to Saturday, March 22.
March 17-22: Eight Productions Filming in SCV
The track teams of The Master's University maintained their strong start to the 2025 outdoor season at the Ross and Sharon Irwin Classic on Saturday. March 15 in San Diego. Five standards were added and 11 top-10 marks in school history were achieved.
Mustangs’ Track Teams Crush Point Loma Meet
The Master's University men's basketball team's season ended Saturday night, March 15 as the Southern Oregon Raiders defeated the Mustangs 76-71 in The MacArthur Center.
Season Ends for TMU Men’s Hoops
Old Town Newhall has earned its title as Santa Clarita’s Premier Arts and Entertainment District and has also become well-known as a hub for prime dining and shopping.
Ken Striplin | Stimulating the SENSES in Old Town Newhall
The Master's University women's basketball team's season came to an end with its first round loss in the NAIA Women's Basketball National Championship Tournament on Saturday, March 15.
Season Ends in Oklahoma for Lady Mustangs
Braden Van Groningen collected 24 kills as The Master's University men's volleyball team came back to defeat the OUAZ Spirit 23-25, 25-17, 25-18, 25-13 Saturday afternoon, March 15 in The MacArthur Center.
Mustangs Get to 4-0 With Four-Set Win Over OUAZ
1927 - Newhall telephone exchange, est. 1900, now serves 100 phones [story]
telephone
2003 - Lifesize sculpture honoring heroes of St. Francis Dam disaster unveiled in Santa Paula [video]
The Warning
1942 - Emery Whilton's Florafaunium opens in Lebec [story]
Florafaunium
Today in SCV History (March 15)
After the January wildfires, the county began a review to assess our evacuation policies and emergency alert systems. The state has also commissioned a review of our preparedness efforts, immediate response to the fires and the recovery time frame of the incident.
Kathryn Barger | Wildfire Analysis
Island Pacific Santa Clarita is gearing up for a celebration of National Lumpia Day with a lumpia-eating contest on Saturday, March 15, from 3-6:30 p.m.
March 15: Lumpia Eating Contest at Island Pacific Santa Clarita
The regular meeting of the Saugus Union School District Governing Board of Trustees will be held Tuesday, March 18 beginning at 6:30 p.m.
March 18: Saugus School Board to Receive Measure EE Annual Report
After a successful pilot program in the Saugus Union School District, School Day Café has expanded the use of a new, eco-friendly serving tray option across all Santa Clarita Valley elementary schools.
SCV Elementary School Lunches Offered on Eco-friendly Serving Trays
In support of “Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life,” the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency is developing a Water Use Efficiency Strategic Plan to establish a comprehensive water conservation strategy.
March 26: SCV Water Hosts Public Workshop on Water Use Efficiency Plan
College of the Canyons Women's Tennis got back in the win column with an 8-1 conference road win at Glendale College.
Canyons Gets Back in the Win Column 8-1 at Glendale
The Michael Hoefflin Foundation for Children’s Cancer invites the community to join the annual "Walk 4 MHF Help Kids Fight Cancer" to help raise awareness and support local families affected by childhood cancer.
April 5: Annual Walk 4 MHF Help Kids Fight Cancer at Central Park
The Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society has announced that the St. Francis Dam Tour scheduled for Saturday, March 15 has been postponed until Saturday, April 26.
March 15: St. Francis Dam Tour Postponed Due to Rain
SCVNews.com