Martindale Fire Ignites Near Santa Clarita, 'Forward Progress' Stopped At 300 Acres

This story is no longer being updated. Check these official sources overnight for updates:

• Martindale fire incident page
• Angeles National Forest twitter
• L.A. County Fire Dept. twitter

Jump to: Evacuations | Closures | Air Quality | Weather Conditions | Additional Resources

The Martindale Fire broke out northeast of Santa Clarita this afternoon, growing to more than 300 acres in less than two hours.

The fire was spreading quickly through medium brush and seemed to be moving to the southeast, through an area which previously burned in the 2007 Buckweed Fire. Good news came at just before 7 p.m. when authorities reported forward progress on the fire had been stopped.

This fire comes on the heels of a Red Flag Warning that was issued by the National Weather Service in Oxnard over the weekend but is set to expire this afternoon.

Temperatures in the area hovered around the triple digits today, and the area’s been getting hit with wind gusts around 15 mph, with extremely low humidity of around 10%.

Fire officials quickly responded to the fire with multiple aircraft and reported that some L.A. County firefighters from the Bobcat Fire were redirected.

L.A. County Fire Captain Ron Harrelson said with today's Red Flag Warning, crews were in place right away:

Harrelson said the fire was burning in an area with extremely dry and heavy brush, with some vegetation over six-feet high.

We will have more on this developing story.

THE BASICS

• Acreage: 300
• Containment: 0%
• Injuries: none
• Structures destroyed: none
• Structures threatened: 12
• Resources deployed:12 aircraft including 5 air tankers, 2 Super Scoopers, and 3 helicopters.

EVACUATIONS

Mandatory: From Bouquet Reservoir Dam, south to Mile Marker 11.5.

Warning: Mile Marker 11.5 to Texas Canyon Ranger Station

ROAD CLOSURES

• Bouquet Canyon Rd. from Vasquez Canyon north to the reservoir.

AIR QUALITY

• South Coast AQMD reports unhealthy conditions in the San Gabriel Mountains and unhealthy conditions for senstive groups in the Santa Clarita Valley.

WEATHER CONDITIONS

• 101 degrees
• Relative humidity 8%
• Winds easterly, gusting 10-20 mph.

THE BACKGROUND

The fire broke out shortly before 3 p.m. and rapidly spread to more than 200 acreas. Officials report the origin of the fire as 34577 Bouquet Cyn Rd., northeast of Santa Clarita.

SCENES ON THE GROUND

HOW WE’RE REPORTING ON THIS

Science reporter Jacob Margolis and producer Lita Martinez are reporting on this story, which is developing. We fact check everything and rely only on information from credible sources (think fire, police, government officials and reporters on the ground). Sometimes, initial reports turn out to be wrong or we make a mistake (hey, we’re human!). In all cases, however, we strive for accuracy and will update this story as new details become available.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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

• Martindale fire incident page
• Angeles National Forest twitter
• L.A. County Fire Dept. twitter

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
• How To Avoid Getting Towed During LA's Red Flag Parking Restrictions
• If You Want To Help Fire Victims, Resist The Urge To Volunteer

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