3 Alarm Tick Fire Prompts Evacuation Orders In Canyon Country

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA — A wind-driven wildfire raced through Canyon Country Thursday, scorching 3,950 acres, damaging an unknown number of structures and threatening at least 10,000 more, prompting evacuations of thousands of residents and the cancellation of classes Friday in four school districts and at two colleges.

The fire was reported about 1:40 p.m. near the 31600 block of Tick Canyon Road, earning it the moniker Tick Fire, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Initially reported at 200 acres, the blaze rapidly grew to more than 850 acres in less than an hour. By early evening, the fire had scorched more than 3,000 acres, but fire officials said they were making "good progress" on the fire.

Multiple structures could be seen burning to the ground as the wind carried flames ahead of the main blaze. The fire was 5 percent contained, the fire department said about 9 p.m.

"The firefight will continue throughout the night," fire Chief Daryl Osby said at an evening news conference. "We've had sustained 20 mph winds with 30 to 40 mph gusts. We're expecting stronger winds tonight through tomorrow morning."

More than 500 firefighters and four Los Angeles County Fire Department helicopters were battling the fire.

"Do not be lulled that you may not see open flames," Osby said. "Because there are plenty of hot spots out in the incident, we'll have firefighters out all night trying to work on those hot spots and try to work on increasing our containment line.

Evacuation orders were issued for all residents north of the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway, east of Whites/Plum Canyon roads, south of Vasquez Canyon Road and west of Agua Dolce. Evacuations were ordered south of the Antelope Valley Freeway east of Sand Canyon, north of Placerita Canyon and west of Robinson Ranch Golf Course.

The orders were affecting an estimated 50,000 residents, according to the fire department.

"As we do the evacuation orders, know that (deputies) are behind all those neighborhoods that are evacuated," Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said. "There are deputies standing vigil all night long, all day, until (the neighborhoods) are repopulated."

Two Red Cross evacuation centers have been set up: at the College of the Canyons gym in Valencia (26455 Rockwell Canyon Road) and at the Newhall Community Center (22421 Market St., Newhall). A previous center at Golden Valley High School has been closed.

Large animals and livestock can be taken to Pierce College. Small animals can be taken to Castaic Animal Care Center

The fire is burning in the vicinity of 31600 Tick Canyon Road in Santa Clarita, authorities said. Winds were gusting at 45 to 55 mph in the area, according to the National Weather Service. A red flag warning has been in place for the area, scheduled to end Friday night.

Meanwhile, separate fires have been burning Thursday afternoon in the Sepulveda Basin and along the 5 freeway.

Road closures

Soledad Canyon Road off-ramps from State Route 14 will be closed, according to California Highway Patrol.

School closures

College of the Canyons canceled all classes at its Valencia and Canyon Country campuses Thursday, and announced the campuses would remain closed Friday. Classes were also canceled Friday for all schools in the Hart, Newhall and Saugus school districts.

The Los Angeles Unified School District announced Thursday night campuses in the San Fernando Valley were closed Friday due to air quality and safety concerns from the Tick Fire and other blazes burning in the area.

Community Elementary, Roscomare Road Elementary, Topanga Elementary Charter, Valley View Elementary, Wonderland Avenue Elementary and Elementary Day School also will be closed.

Moorpark College is closing at 5 p.m. and canceling Thursday night classes, it said on Twitter.

Canoga Park High School will close for Thursday evening and cancel all parent conferences, but will remain open Friday, its principal said on Twitter.

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for the latest updates.

***UPDATE*** | TICK Fire | #SantaClarita | MANDATORY EVACUATIONS for all residents North of 14 frwy, E of Whites/Plum Canyon, South of Vasquez Canyon, W of Agua Dolce
Also, South of 14 freeway, E of Sand Canyon, N of Placerita Canyon, and W of Robinson Ranch Golf Course. pic.twitter.com/Jo1SYKiQ5i
— L.A. County Fire Department (@LACoFDPIO) October 24, 2019

#TickFire is now 3rd Alarm @LACoFDPIO @Angeles_NF #LAWind @LASDHQ @CHP_HQ @SCVSignal media has permission w credit. Follow @LACoFDPIO for official information pic.twitter.com/F6DH90hbaZ
— Michael Dubron (@MichaelDubron) October 24, 2019

**If you are near the #TickFire, please evacuate if you can do so safely. Do not wait for firefighters if you see flames approaching.** pic.twitter.com/VdOUXTn20b
— Los Angeles County (@CountyofLA) October 24, 2019

**UPDATE** 3RD ALARM BRUSH FIRE #TickFire | FS132 | 31600 Tick Canyon Rd #CanyonCountry | #TickIC is now requesting a 3rd Alarm Response.
Photo: @LACoFireAirOps#LACoFD pic.twitter.com/o8j6h8SHxl
— L.A. County Fire Department (@LACoFDPIO) October 24, 2019

City News Service contributed to this report.