The Canyon Fire, which has burned more than 5,000 acres on the Los Angeles-Ventura County line and destroyed two homes, was 96% contained Tuesday morning as crews worked to completely encircle the non-injury blaze.
”Over the next two days, the majority of personnel on the incident will be released because of the progress that’s been made on this fire,” Los Angeles County Fire Department Public Information Officer Fred Fielding told CNS.
Fire officials used 960 personnel, 92 engines, 28 crews and 12 dozers to battle the blaze at its height. The resources assigned allowed fire officials to effectively stop the blaze at 5,370 acres.
Crews have been making steady progress encircling the fire in an area east of Lake Piru since it broke out on Thursday.
“Crews worked through the night to monitor and extinguish isolated heat sources,” according to a statement from Cal Fire. “Minimal fire activity allowed crews to continue improving control lines. Overnight infrared flights along the northeast portion of the fire identified areas of remaining heat, which are being used to guide Tuesday’s suppression priorities.”
The northeast section of the fire remains the hottest area.
“Infrared mapping taking place Tuesday will further help crews locate and extinguish hot spot areas, prevent flare-ups and protect the fire perimeter,” officials said. “Dozer lines on the eastern edge of the fire will be strengthened to minimize the chance of spread. Across the incident, firefighters remain prepared to respond quickly to any flare-ups while suppression repair and backhaul will continue to address impacts from firefighting operations.”
Temperatures are expected to remain hot, topping 100 degrees around the fire zone, with relative humidity dropping to 15-20%, and wind gusts up to 20 mph.
All evacuation warnings in Los Angeles and Ventura counties were lifted as of 5:18 a.m. Sunday.
Damage assessment teams have confirmed the fire has destroyed two single residences and five outbuildings.
At least one firefighter was injured Friday when a white fire pickup truck overturned. The firefighter was ejected near the fire. Aerial footage depicted a rescue operation for the severely injured firefighter, who was conscious and alert before being transported to a hospital.
Around 400 firefighters from the Los Angeles and Ventura county fire departments were attacking the blaze with assistance from Angeles National Forest and Cal Fire.
LACoFD officials said helicopter crews made water drops on the fire through the night Thursday into Friday, taking advantage of diminished winds. The strategy proved effective, helping to jump-start containment efforts.
The fire — straddling the Los Angeles- Ventura county line near Val Verde west of Castaic — started at about 1:30 p.m. Thursday, and quickly grew to a second alarm as it burned in a remote area east of Lake Piru. The flames spread rapidly through the brush. Initially estimated at about 30 acres, within two hours, the fire had burned through 1,051 acres of brush. By late Thursday it grew in size to nearly 5,000 acres.
With the fire advancing, evacuation warnings were issued in the Val Verde area. That warning was later elevated to an evacuation order and expanded to include the Hasley Canyon and other areas, while additional neighborhoods were placed under additional warnings..
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents the area and chairs the Board of Supervisors, issued a local emergency proclamation Thursday afternoon in response to the fire aimed at ensuring all resources are made available to fight the blaze.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said Friday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant that will reimburse a large share of local agencies’ firefighting costs.