Tick fire jumps 14 Freeway in Santa Clarita Valley, prompting new evacuations
The 4,300-acre Tick fire continued to rage in Canyon Country in northern Los Angeles County, jumping the 14 Freeway early Friday morning and prompting a new round of evacuations as powerful, dry winds swept the area with the blaze destroying and damaging structures.
The 14 Freeway was shut down at about 3 a.m. in both directions, northbound at Golden Valley Road and southbound at Escondido Canyon Road.
Firefighters said early Friday that they expect erratic winds through the day, and that could cause problems, including leading to threatening more homes. At least six structures had been destroyed, with damaged sustained to an unknown numbers of others.
So far, no injuries have been reported.
The blaze was reported as only 5 percent contained after chewing through roughly 350 acres overnight, with 574 firefighters and six helicopters and four air tankers working to quell the flames.
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An estimated 40,000 residents are on evacuation orders, with more added Friday when all residents of the Sand Canyon Road area from the 14 Freeway to Placerita Canyon Road in Santa Clarita were also told to leave.
Those in the stretch east of Rolling Hills Avenue and north of Diver Street in Canyon County were also instructed to get out of the area, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
The Fair Oaks area south of the Antelope Valley Freeway in Canyon Country remained under a voluntary evacuation order, authorities said.
Firefighters battle house fire on #Sequoia road in the #TickFire #LACoFD pic.twitter.com/EPAtrKKzJL
— David Crane (@vidcrane) October 25, 2019
Closed 14 freeway and home destroyed in #TickFire early Friday. #LACFD #fire pic.twitter.com/a7V4yZBBb2
— David Crane (@vidcrane) October 25, 2019
House destroyed on #Sugar loaf ct in #CanyonCountry early Friday morning. High winds throughout area. #Tickfire #LACFD pic.twitter.com/IsZSTKGVC2
— David Crane (@vidcrane) October 25, 2019
An estimated 10,000 structures, authorities said Friday morning, were threatened.
Tick fire has jumped the 14 lots of hotspots pic.twitter.com/5187vBzEAZ
— Sarah Reingewirtz (@sarahimages) October 25, 2019
Larry Berry,19, and Lilie Robinson, 18, of Las Vegas, huddle in a Starbucks With other evacuees in Santa Clarita during the Tick fire. The two were trying to get to their hotel for a Magic Mountain vacation. pic.twitter.com/zlMhRN1Yvm
— Sarah Reingewirtz (@sarahimages) October 25, 2019
The fire was first reported Thursday afternoon near the 31600 block of Tick Canyon Road, earning it the moniker of the Tick fire.
It then quickly swelled.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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