Firefighters dealing with hot, dry conditions Monday continued to battle a 1,048-acre brush fire in the Angeles National Forest northeast of Santa Clarita that is almost 50% contained.
The Bouquet Fire was reported at 2:16 p.m. Saturday in the 34800 block of Bouquet Canyon Road and prompted evacuation orders and road closures, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
Temperatures were expected to reach triple digits in the area again on Tuesday.
“Fire activity was minimal overnight,” Angeles National Forest officials said Monday morning. “Firefighters will continue to build and improve fire line throughout the day. All evacuations and closures remain in place for firefighter and public safety.”
Bouquet Canyon Road was closed from Spunky Canyon Road to milepost 5.7, officials said.
Airtankers and helicopters from Fox Field supported suppression efforts when the fire broke out and by Sunday evening, a more optimistic view emerged.
“Firefighters made good progress along the southern end of the fire perimeter today,” fire officials said Sunday. “Most of the fire’s activity was along Bouquet Canyon Road. Ground and Aerial resources concentrated efforts in the area and overall containment moved up to 48% as of this evening. Updated mapping puts the fire at 1,048 acres.”
As of Monday morning, there was no change in the estimate of acreage burned or containment status.
An afternoon wind shift Saturday pushed the fire toward structures along Bouquet Canyon Road, prompting requests for structure protection. Mandatory evacuations were ordered for some areas, while other neighborhoods were under evacuation warnings. A map of those areas can be found at protect.genasys.com.
A shelter was opened at the Ryan M. Clinkunbroomer Castaic Sports Complex at 31230 Castaic Road. The shelter was also accepting small pets.
The ANF instituted temporary closures at Rowher Flat Off-Highway Vehicle Area off Vasquez Truck Trail and at Drinkwater OHV Area off San Francisquito Canyon Road for public safety.
The fire was burning in chaparral and grass in an area with limited access and steep terrain.
The cause of the fire was unclear.