Lake Fire Updates: Blaze Grows To Over 11,600 Acres; Containment At 12%

Fire crews are in the third day of battling the Lake Fire, which broke out Wednesday afternoon and quickly exploded, forcing hundreds of people in the Lake Hughes area to evacuate. The wildfire is burning in the Angeles National Forest between the Antelope and Santa Clarita valleys.

As of this morning, over 11,600 acres have burned and more than 5,400 homes and other structures are threatened. Containment is at 12%.

No injuries have been reported, but three structures have been destroyed, according to fire officials.

A key objective today: keeping the fire "north of Castaic Lake, south of Highway 138, east of Red Rock Mountain, and west of Tule Ridge," officials said in an 8 a.m. incident update. Firefighters are preparing for "near critical fire weather conditions" beginning this afternoon as gusty onshore winds move into the area.

Keep up with LAist.

If you're enjoying this article, you'll love our daily newsletter, The LA Report. Each weekday, catch up on the 5 most pressing stories to start your morning in 3 minutes or less.

Subscribe

Here's what we know so far about the blaze and firefighters' efforts to contain it.

THE BASICS

• Acreage: 11,637 acres
• Containment: 12%
• Structures threatened: 5,420
• Structures destroyed: 5
• Resources deployed: 1,159 firefighters

A firefighting aircraft drops retardant over a section of the Lake Fire burning in the Angeles National Forest on Aug. 13, 2020 near Santa Clarita. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

MANDATORY EVACUATIONS

• Lake Hughes Road west of Pine Canyon and north of Dry Gulch Road
• Everything east of Ridge Route Road
• Everything west of Lake Hughes Road and Fire Station 78
• Everything north of Pine Canyon and Lake Hughes Road
• Everything south of Highway 138

EVACUATION CENTERS

For people (due to public health guidelines, evacuees must remain in their cars):

• Highland High School | 39055 25th St., West Palmdale
• Castaic Sports Complex | 31230 Castaic Road

For animals:

• Castaic Animal Care Center (31044 Charlie Canyon Rd)
• Lancaster Animal Care Center (5210 W. Avenue I)
• Palmdale Animal Care Center (38550 Sierra Highway)
• Antelope Valley Fairgrounds - large animals only (2551 W. Avenue H in Lancaster)

ROAD AND TRAIL CLOSURES

A portion of Angeles National Forest near the Lake Fire has been closed through the end of the year under an emergency order from the Forest Service. Only residents and landowners will be permitted access. You can see a map of the Lake Fire Closure Area above.
The map below shows additional road closures:

This map shows road closures in the area of the Lake Fire as of Thursday, Aug. 13. (Courtesy Los Angeles County Fire Department)

• San Francisquito Canyon Road from Slater Lane to Spunky Canyon
• Lake Hughes Road from Ridge Route Road to Pine Canyon
• 3 Points Road from Highway 138 to Pine Canyon
• Old Ridge Route from Highway 138 to Pine Canyon

WEATHER CONDITIONS

On Thursday, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby said authorities are bracing for a "very hot, dry weekend" with triple-digit temperatures over the next few days. As of Aug. 1, the Angeles National Forest had increased the fire threat from "very high" to "extreme." Parts of the area on fire had not burned since 1968, according to officials.

HOW WE’RE REPORTING ON THIS

News producer Itxy Quintanilla is reaching out to fire officials. LAist's Ryan Fonseca is anchoring digital coverage. This is a developing story. In all cases, we strive to bring you the most accurate information in real time and will update this story as new information becomes available.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For the latest information straight from local emergency officials, check the following websites and social media accounts:

• Los Angeles County Fire
• Angeles National Forest
• L.A. County Air Operations
• Lake Fire Incident page

We'll update this story as we learn more.

MORE ON THIS YEAR'S WILDFIRE SEASON:

• Is it Really Time For Wildfires Already?

FIRE RESOURCES

• Every Day Is Fire Season. Here's How Angelenos Can Prepare Right Now
• How To Find Out About Fire Evacuations In Your Area
• How To Keep Yourself Safe From Wildfire Smoke
• The Air Is Brown — Should I Wear A Mask?
• This Is Why Fire Officials Don't Want You To Stay And Defend Your Home
• What Does 'Containment' Of A Fire Mean, Exactly?
• What Does A 'Red Flag Warning' Mean, Exactly?
• What To Do — And Not Do — When You Get Home After A Wildfire

Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.