Bike Fire Erupts in Santa Clarita: 200 Acres in an Hour, Mandatory Evacuations in Four Zones
A brush fire erupted in Santa Clarita, Los Angeles County, on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 11), exploding from 5 acres to 200 acres within an hour. CAL FIRE reported a rapid rate of spread with erratic fire behavior, and mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for multiple neighborhoods.
According to the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the fire — dubbed the "Bike Fire" — was reported around 1 p.m. near Cambria Estates Lane and Ravenhill Road, close to Golden Valley and the Sand Canyon/Placerita Canyon area. It grew fast: about 75 acres by 2:01 p.m., over 115 acres with "erratic fire behavior" by 2:15 p.m., and 200 acres by 2:36 p.m., still burning at a rapid rate.
CAL FIRE expanded evacuation orders at 2:34 p.m. Mandatory orders cover zones SCL-SULTUS, NADEU-A and SCL-SANDSOUTH-B, according to the official incident page; the New York Post reported the orders were further expanded at 2:48 p.m. to add SCL-MACMILLAN. Evacuation warnings are in effect for six more zones: SCL-NADEU-B, SCL-CRYSTALSPRINGS, SCL-WOODLAND, SCL-SANDSOUTH-A, SCL-FAIROAKSRANCH and LAC-E119-A. Residents in Nadeu, Sandsouth, Woodland, MacMillan and Crystal Springs were told to prepare to leave as structures were threatened.
Two air tankers and two type 1 helicopters were mobilized to assist firefighting efforts. The cause of the fire remains unknown and is under investigation.
Notably, Southern California is grappling with turbulent weather this week: moisture from former Tropical Cyclone Rachel has brought rain, gusty winds and coastal flooding. The National Weather Service warned of potentially powerful wind gusts in mountain areas and the Antelope Valley, with coastal flooding concerns expected to persist into Tuesday.
This is the third wildfire in the Santa Clarita area in a week. The Bouquet Fire, reported Oct. 3 near Bouquet Canyon Road in the Angeles National Forest, has burned 1,048 acres and was 83% contained as of Sunday. The Danny Fire, reported Oct. 8 about two miles south of Gorman, was held at 150 acres and 96% contained.
Sources: CAL FIRE official incident page, Los Angeles County Fire Department, New York Post, ABC7, MyNewsLA.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 资料照片：2021年7月加州 Shell Fire。Russ Allison Loar 摄，CC BY-SA 4.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。
