SANTA CLARITA, CA — Evacuation orders were lifted in Santa Clarita Sunday after a fast-moving brush fire that grew to 475 acres was 68% contained by lines of cleared vegetation.
The Bike Fire was reported around 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Cambria Estates Lane and Ravenhill Road, near Sand Canyon and Placerita Canyon roads, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The fire was initially pegged at about five acres, but that number grew fast.
By 2:15 p.m., authorities said at least 115 acres had burned "with erratic fire behavior."
Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Aaron Katon told City News Service crews were making good progress while actively engaged in structure-defense operations. About 250 county fire personnel were assigned to the blaze, along with approximately 75 U.S. Forest Service personnel.
Two air tankers and two type 1 helicopters were initially mobilized to assist in the firefighting effort. Additional aircraft were subsequently deployed, including helitankers and Super Scoopers, according to Katon.
Evacuation orders were initially in place for the Sandsouth, Sultus, Woodland and Nadeu areas, while warnings were issued for other nearby areas which were lifted as of 8 p.m.
The area has experienced two other wildfires in the last week. The Bouquet Fire was reported Oct. 3 near Bouquet Canyon Road in the Angeles National Forest northeast of Santa Clarita. It was 83% contained as of Sunday after burning 1,048 acres.
The Danny Fire was reported Thursday about two miles south of Gorman, though forward progression was stopped quickly and that fire was 96% contained at 150 acres.
— City News Service
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