Los Angeles County and U.S. Forest Service firefighters are battling a brush fire burning in the Angeles National Forest near Castaic.
The blaze, dubbed the Bouquet Fire, was reported at around 3 p.m. near Bouquet Canyon Road and Quarry Road, just northeast of Santa Clarita.
As of 6 a.m. Sunday, LACoFD officials told CBS LA that the fire had burned approximately 1,044 acres and was 40% contained. According to Cal Fire, the fire threatened structures and power lines as it burned at a "rapid rate of spread."
Firefighters were also battling two spot fires that were burning close to the main fire, Cal Fire said. Because a fire had not burned in the area over the last several decades, the dense and heavy brush has helped the flames grow quickly, according to Seneca Smith with the Angeles National Forest.
"Right now, there's just shy of 300 personnel," Smith said during a news conference. "That area has not seen fire for several decades. So, that's another issue as well, just very heavy vegetation."
The cause of the fire was not immediately known, but Angeles National Forest officials say investigators believe the fire may have been human-caused.
"That could be anything from equipment to power lines to vehicles," Smith said.
Aerial footage from CBS LA's helicopter showed large flames burning in the hills above Castaic Canyon, with a massive plume of smoke extending over the surrounding area. Some of the flames were also seen near power lines.
"Air Attack has reported a possible drone sighting over the area of the fire," Cal Fire said. "Flying a drone near a wildfire is a federal crime, and can cost lives. If you fly, we can't."
Firefighters issued evacuation warnings in the surrounding area at around 3:45 p.m., some of which were upgraded to orders just before 4:20 p.m. Residents in the following zones were under mandatory evacuation orders:
Evacuation warnings were also in place for:
An evacuation center was opened for evacuees at the Castaic Sports Complex, which is located at 31230 Castaic Road. Evacuees are allowed to bring small pets, officials said.
California Highway Patrol officers closed Bouquet Canyon Road at Vasquez Canyon Road for an indefinite amount of time as the fire continued to burn Saturday evening. They urged drivers to use alternate routes.
At around 10 p.m., the South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a wildfire smoke advisory for most of the Santa Clarita Valley and the Angeles National Forest due to the large amount of smoke from the blaze. They said that the I-5 corridor could also be affected, and that the impacts would likely be greatest between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. on Sunday, when air quality would be unhealthy.
This is a developing story. Check back for details.
