A fire aided by overnight winds broke out around 2 this morning in Little Tujunga Canyon and has already claimed 500 acres of brush and has forced the evacuation of about 1,200 nearby residents. Mandatory evacuations are currently in effect in Kagel Canyon, Lopez Canyon, and Little Tujunga Canyon. Residents of nearby Lakeview Terrace are on the ready, but are not required to evacuate as of yet. The cool temperature was an asset to firefighters who responded to the blaze. The cause of the fire is currently unknown.