Sand Fire Updates - Blaze Out of Control, Continues to Destroy With More Than 20,000 Acres Affected and One Dead
Sta Clarita Sand Fire Eats 2,000 Acres Overnight
Santa Clarita sand fire updates -- Wildfire continues to destroy everything in its path. The blaze, which started near the Antelope Valley, has turned into a devastating sand fire destroying more than 20,000 acres. This has prompted new evacuations for hundreds of residents living near the area.
Areas heavily affected
Residents located in Sand and Placerita canyons were told to evacuate by the Los Angeles County Fire Department. At least 1,500 homes located in the area were threatened by the ravaging blaze. Since the fire started Friday, it mainly destroyed areas where there were a few homes but late Saturday; it shifted due to winds coming from the Southwest. The fire began to move towards Sand Canyon community in Santa Clarita.
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Evacuations, shelters and drone warnings
New evacuation centers were announced via NWC sites. Evacuees will be taken to Highland High School in Palmdale while large animals will be taken to the Antelope Valley Fair Grounds in Lancaster.
An FAA Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in effect and any drone or private aircraft that violates will face serious criminal charges. Drones can interfere with firefighting activities and can cause the blaze to grow larger and cause more damage as well.
Relentless efforts from fire fighters
At the moment, over 1,673 firefighters are battling the fire. Reports say that there are 122 fire engines, 39 hand crews, 8 bulldozers and 15 helicopters. Those who need help and would like to report an incident personally may visit the Incident Command Post at the Golden Valley High School.
One death reported
A body of a man was found in a burned sedan Saturday. The vehicle was outside a home located in the fire zone. Police officials are still investigating the death.
Fire fueled by extreme weather conditions
Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich said that the fire grew because of "excessive heat, low humidity, extreme dry fuels that have not burned for several decades, and very rugged terrain." Antonovich mentioned this in an exclusive news conference to report developments in the area.
The blaze was stoked by winds of up to 40 mph helping it to burn more than 2,000 acres in just one night. National Weather Center warned that Saturday would be the peak of the heat wave affecting the region.
Temperatures in the eastern part of the Santa Clarita Valley have hit 106 degrees causing red flag warnings from the weather agency to remain in effect until Sunday.
