USA

Bouquet Fire Near Santa Clarita 40% Contained After Burning Over 1,000 Acres

Abdul Mannan 1 hour ago • 1 min read

Firefighters battle the Bouquet Fire burning through chaparral hills near Santa Clarita, California, as a helicopter makes water drops

Firefighters in Southern California made steady progress on Sunday against the Bouquet Fire burning northeast of Santa Clarita, with Cal Fire reporting the blaze 40 percent contained by late afternoon after scorching more than 1,000 acres of the Angeles National Forest.

The fire broke out on Saturday afternoon near Bouquet Canyon Road and Quarry Road and spread rapidly through chaparral and dry brush, according to fire officials. Extreme heat, low humidity and a prolonged regional heat wave — with highs forecast between 92 and 105 degrees through at least October 8 — fuelled the fast-moving flames.

Los Angeles County emergency officials issued mandatory evacuation orders for several zones along Bouquet Canyon Road after a Saturday wind shift pushed the flames toward homes; surrounding neighbourhoods remained under evacuation warnings on Sunday, with residents urged to be ready to leave. A shelter for evacuees opened at the Castaic Sports Complex, where small pets were also welcome, and Bouquet Canyon Road was closed between Spunky Canyon Road and Vasquez Canyon Road.

Crews battled flare-ups through Sunday with support from helicopters and air tankers, while California Governor Gavin Newsom urged people near the fire to follow evacuation orders and guidance from emergency officials. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The National Weather Service warned that fire activity was expected to increase during the day as temperatures rose and dried out fuels, adding that warm overnight temperatures were raising the risk of both wildfire growth and heat-related illness.