Santa Clarita

‘South Fire' in Newhall, Near Santa Clarita Forces Evacuations

The blaze grew to 175 acres and forced evacuations near the 5 Freeway in Newhall

A brush fire dubbed the "South Fire" in Newhall forced mandatory evacuations in several neighborhoods on Saturday.

The fire burned 175 acres and was 50 percent contained as of approximately 7:30 a.m. Sunday after roughly 300 firefighters stayed on scene to fight the flames through the night.

Evacuations were lifted at 8 p.m., after firefighters managed to get control of the blaze.

The fire closed the 5 Freeway at Calgrove Blvd. for a short time and caused severe backups near Santa Clarita.

The "South Fire" was first reported at approximately 2:45 p.m. just east of the Golden State (5) Freeway, south of Calgrove Blvd. Water-dropping and flame retardant dropping helicopters began assisting firefighters on the ground soon after.

A third alarm was requested at approximately 3:45 p.m.

At approximately 4:45 p.m., the "South Fire" had grown to 160 acres with zero percent containment per the LA County Fire Department.

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff ordered mandatory evacuations for all homes south of Calgrove Blvd. between the 5 Freeway and Creekside Drive: La Salle Canyon Dr.; White Oak Ct.; Heritage Oak Ct.; Ebelden Ave.; Mentry Dr.; Bella Ct.; Cary Ct.; Darcy Ln.; Clearbank Ln.; Briardale Way; Creekside Dr.

Shortly after 5 p.m., all streets south of Maple Street up to Wildwood Canyon Rd were also ordered to evacuate: Calgrove Blvd/Valley St.; Alamos Ln.; Champagne Ln.; Agramonte Dr.; Haskell vista Ln.; Cross St.; Wildwood Rd.; Oakbridge Ln.; Green Crest Dr.

The LA County Sherriff said that the College of the Canyon Physical Education Center was acting as an evacuation center for residents.

The Castaic Animal Shelter was designated as an evacuation center for large animals.

At 8 p.m., the evacuations were lifted.

Per the LA County Fire Department, one fire fighter was injured battling the flames due to heat exhaustion.

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