The Rye Fire near Santa Clarita and Magic Mountain was 93 percent contained Monday and efforts continued to clear brush around the entire perimeter and achieve full containment even though conditions conducive to wildfires persist, authorities said Monday.
The fire has destroyed at least six structures, damaged three more and consumed 6,049 acres, officials said. More than 650 firefighters remain committed to fight the blaze, which broke out at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday near the 2500 block of Rye Canyon Loop, officials said.
However, Six Flags Magic Mountain escaped damage and was open for the holidays as planned.
Driven by gusty Santa Ana winds, the fire has threatened 5,460 structures and caused burn injuries to a firefighter, authorities said. The firefighter, possibly an inmate, was airlifted to a burn center for treatment.
A Red Flag Warning was extended for much of Southern California through Monday, officials said. It is scheduled to expire at 8 Monday evening.
All evacuations and road closures issued as a result of the fire have been lifted, and the College of the Canyons evacuation site has been deactivated, officials said.
The fire’s size originally was estimated at about 7,000 acres, but was downsized to 6,049 acres after precision mapping was conducted, Cal Fire said.
The fire prompted the evacuation of about 5,000 people from about 1,300 homes and the closure of sections of the Golden State (5) Freeway and state Route 126.
Authorities reminded residents that the Disaster Distress Helpline, a 24- hour national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for those affected by the fires, is accessible at (800) 985-5990.
—City News Service