The Rye Fire was 5 percent contained Wednesday after it burned about 5,000 acres in Santa Clarita near Magic Mountain on Tuesday, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
There were no injuries reported, but the fire had prompted evacuations of around 5,000 people from about 1,300 homes and the closure of sections of the Golden State (5) Freeway and state Route 126.
Magic Mountain amusement park did not seem to be threatened, but it’s the best-known landmark in the area.
Hundreds of firefighters, including air units, worked to control the fire amid gusting Santa Ana winds. Power was interrupted to about 2,090 customers in the Santa Clarita area, according to Southern California Edison.
The wind-fueled brush fire was reported about 9:35 a.m. on Tuesday near the 2500 block of Rye Canyon Loop, near Highway 126, also known as Newhall Ranch Road, according to the fire department.
The Golden State Freeway was temporarily closed in both directions near state Route 126, but the freeway reopened by mid-afternoon. Rye Canyon Loop was also closed, along with state Route 126 from Copperhill Drive to the Golden State Freeway.
Evacuations were ordered along Rye Canyon Loop. Authorities also evacuated the Valencia Travel Village RV park in the 27900 block of Henry Mayo Drive in Castaic. A mandatory evacuation order was issued for the Westridge housing community, but it was lifted about 6 p.m.
Evacuation centers were established at Valencia High School at 27801 Dickason Drive and College of the Canyons, 6455 Rockwell Canyon Road.
Students at Rancho Pico Junior High School, West Ranch High School and Oak Hills Elementary School in the Westridge area were bused to College of the Canyons, Santa Clarita city officials said. College of the Canyons canceled classes at both of its campuses Tuesday night.
—City News Service