A fast-moving wildfire northeast of Santa Clarita was prompting evacuation orders and warnings on Saturday, officials said.
The 1,044-acre Bouquet Fire broke out near Bouquet Canyon and Quarry roads in the Angeles National Forest around 3:15 p.m., according to Cal Fire. It was 30% contained by Saturday night.
By 5:30 p.m., authorities said some evacuation orders had been downgraded to warnings. A shelter for evacuees and small pets was established at the Castaic Sports Complex community room, 31230 Castaic Road.
Thomas Davis told NBC Los Angeles he saw flames burning near his home and called 911.
“I did the best I could with the garden hose until the firemen got here,” Davis said. “I kind of thought we were done because the fire got right there. That is about as close as it’s ever gotten.”
Video shows firefighters on the ground and air tankers overhead. Cal Fire later said the aircraft would be released due to low visibility but would return in the morning.
At one point, Cal Fire said said crews were also battling two spot fires near the main fire.
The firefight comes as an extended heat wave grips Los Angeles County and most parts of Southern California.
According to the National Weather Service, a weather station near the blaze reported 7 mile-per-hour winds and 18 mph gusts from the northeast, 93 degrees and 21% relative humidity around 3:30 p.m.
“SW onshore wind shift at 6 to 8 mph with gusts to 13 mph likely to occur at Bouquet Fire between 5 and 6 pm today and persist for a few hours, before switching back to light offshore breeze later this evening and overnight,” the NWS said.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a smoke advisory, set to expire 8 p.m. Sunday. The agency said the areas that could experience unhealthy or higher air quality index levels were the Santa Clarita Valley, the Interstate 5 corridor and the Angeles National Forrest.
Those who see or smell smoke were urged to stay inside, close doors and windows, use air purifiers and avoid whole house fans and swamp coolers.
Bouquet Canyon Road at Vasquez Canyon Road was closed due to the fire, the California Highway Patrol said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
This is a developing story.
