Fire Updates and School Closures

Updated 10/23/07 10pm 

Things appear to have calmed down quite a bit and the Buckweed Fire is reported to be about 80% contained.  I saw helicopters flying all day today and it seems that their efforts were worth it.

Things in Castaic (Ranch Fire) are still flaring up a bit(you can see it in the sky).  However the fire seems to be moving west away from us!

All schools should be back open tomorrow.

Hopefully the winds will die down and give the firefighters a break.

Please check the city website for current information.

Updated 10/23/07 11:30am

The skies in Santa Clarita appear clearer, but you can still smell the smoke.  From the looks of it the only fire I was able to see this morning was the Ranch Fire.  It seemed to be calmer than what it looked like yesterday.

There was fire that broke out on Sand Canyon by the 14 last night that had residents from the complex building located at that intersection running from the complex.  I haven’t heard any reports of damages from that fire.

Updated 10/22/07 8:45pm

The fire at the Old Road and Magic Mountain (Magic Fire) is spreading quickly toward the west.  While no mandatory evacuations are in place, residents of Westridge and Stevenson Ranch should be ready to go if needed.

 

(Magic Fire, taken from McBean and Valencia Blvd, 6pm 10/22/07) 

Updated 10/22/07 7pm

Disaster Hotline (661-295-6366)

Fire west of I5 in Stevenson Ranch continues to burn, but there are no evacuations in the city as of right now.

The 5 and 14 freeways are open.

Pitchess Detention Center is not being evacuated at this time. 

Updated 10/22/07 5pm

Road Closures: Due to the "Magic Incident" All major roads west of The Old Road (McBean/Stevenson Ranch, Valencia Blvd. and Pico Canyon Rd.) are open to RESIDENTS ONLY.

Castaic Hillcrest Area is open to residents only at this time.

Most of the Time Warner internet service is down and they are working diligently to repair the problem.

Updated 10/22/07 3:40pm

All Hart District Schools will be closed tomorrow 10/23/07 school should resume on Wednesday 10/24/07.

Haven’t heard yet about the other districts.

The fire has now spread over to the hills behind West Ranch High School.   I’m currently not aware of evacuations in that area and as of 3:43, it hasn’t been listed on the city site.

Updated 10/22/07 2:30pm

Effective 2:15 p.m. all mandatory evacuation notices in the City of Santa Clarita, east of I-5, north of Copper Hill and east into the Canyon Country area have been lifted.

Road closures remain in place in affected areas to ALL but local residents.  Local residents must show identification to access these areas.

Mandatory evacuations in the Castaic area and west of I-5 in the Halsey Canyon area remain in effect.

Updated 10/22/07 12:46 p.m.

Hillcrest Area (Castaic) North of Hasley Canyon to the Old Road has been evacuated.

Tesoro Del Valle has been evacuated.

Seco fire is spreading in all directions for KCBS video coverage click here.

All city sports activities canceled.

Check the city website for more information.

 

Updated 10:34pm (School closures from City of Santa Clarita website)

Saugus and Hart Union School Districts have announced school closures tomorrow (Oct 22nd).  The air quality here in Santa Clarita is absolutely horrible and I can only assume that all outdoor sports activities will be canceled for the next few days as well. 

All classes for Monday October 22nd have been canceled at the East and West facilities of College of the Canyons, CalArts, the Hart Union School District, Saugus Union School District, Santa Clarita Christian, Sunshine NorthValencia (pre-school and after-school), Sunshine Wiley Canyon, Sunshine Fair Oaks, Sunshine Pine Tree, Sunshine North Lake Hills, Legacy, Trinity Christian, Rainbow Promise Pre-School and Kindergarten, Pinecrest School on Lost Canyon Road.
Castaic Union School District staff are reporting that classes will be held as scheduled on Monday, October 22nd.

The fire in Agua Dulce spread to Canyon Country and is raging with only 10% containment after having burned 12,500 acres.  There are many street closures and 25 structures/homes have been damaged and more continue to be in danger.  Approximately 800 people have been evacuated  and there may be more evacuations mandated this evening. According to KABC news - down power lines may have been the cause of this fire.  The Castaic fire is also raging and flames can be seen from I5 on the top of the hill.

Residents in northern areas of Santa Clarita (San Francisquito Cyn/Copperhill) are also being evacuated and animal evacuations are being coordinated by the L.A. County Sheriff and Animal Control.  Evacuation centers have been set up at Golden Valley High School and Saugus High School.  Residents that need evacuation transit assistance can call 295-6396.

For more information on evacuations, school and street closures and up to date official city communication, please go to the city website here. (Related Post)

Here are a couple photos if you are not in town and want to get an idea of what we’re breathing out here.

 

The sky over Santa Clarita (taken at 4pm, October 21, 2007) 

 

 

 

 

 

Scene approaching Santa Clarita from I5 (taken 6:30pm, October 21, 2007)

 
 

 

 

Sent in by a friend who was having dinner on Soledad Cyn by the new COC extension. (Taken at 9pm, October 21, 2007 by Justin Heacock)