Residents from 10 mobile homes in a Stevenson Ranch park who were evacuated because of heavy debris and mud flow from the Calgrove burn area may be allowed to return home later Thursday, weather permitting, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works.
“It depends on what happens with today’s expected rain,” Bob Spencer of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works told City News Service early Thursday morning. “We just don’t know when or if they can return at this point.”
The evacuation began just before 2 p.m. Wednesday, at the Crescent Valley Mobile Estates at 25300 The Old Road, said Los Angeles County Fire Department Dispatch Supervisor Cheryl Simms.
The evacuations were voluntary and affected 10 of the 80 homes at the mobile home park, Spencer said. The homes were considered at-risk because of mud and debris from the Calgrove burn area.
“Residents evacuated nine of the homes and one gentleman said he was going to stay but he did send his family away,” Spencer said.
Southern California Edison and the Southern California Gas Co. workers disconnected utility service to the nine evacuated homes, he said.
Two mobile homes believed in harm’s way were moved to safety on different pads within the mobile home park, Spencer said.
Residents were told to move vehicles outside the park in case mud and debris filled the entrance but county crews cleared the area and planned to remain at the park through the night to clear inlets as needed, Spencer said.
Officials had been meeting with the residents since September to consider what could result when heavy winter rains swept mud and debris down the steep canyon, he said, adding: “The residents were very aware that this situation may arise.”
Deputies from the sheriff’s Santa Clarita Station assisted with the evacuations, said Ken Kondo of the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management.
The American Red Cross opened a shelter at Santa Clarita’s Newhall Community Center at 22421 Market St. Only two residents were staying at the shelter, Spencer said. The rest were staying with friends and family.
They could be back in their homes by Friday but the scenario could be repeated, he said.
“The residents are well-aware it could repeat all winter,” Spencer said.
The Calgrove Fire burned about 415 acres in Santa Clarita, starting June 24, north of the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway and southeast of Calgrove Boulevard in Santa Clarita, according to a Santa Clarita city official.
—City News Service