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October 21, 2007· scvtalk.com · PHP-Nuke (SCVTalk 1.0) · Wayback capture

Extreme winds, fire threaten SCV

Santa Clarita residents awoke today expecting high winds and a red-flag warning from fire authorities. What we didn't expect -or at least I didn't expect- was the extreme ferocity of today's Santa Ana winds, which have driven two fires on the east and west side of Santa Clarita into frightening blazes that are threatening homes and people. Reaction to the twin fires was swift: Carl Goldman has been on the air for hours, updating the SCV with important information, and for the second time in a week, the City has opened its emergency operations center as flames approach city lines. There's whispers of evacuations in Agua Dulce, Castaic, along Copper Hill in North Valencia, and as the sun sets, the winds have yet to die down and may actually increase. Updates: City of Santa Clarita update ticker
KHTS AM 1220 (Website currently down, tune in on AM) Signal story, continually updated
Santa Clarita Sheriff's Station news updates I've got some pictures from around town today, so if you're interested, click "Read More."

Around 2pm, smoke from the Castaic and Agua Dulce fires stormed over the Santa Clarita Valley. Here in Newhall, the sky took on a distrubing orange hue as fast-moving clouds of smoke and ash were carried by strong Santa Ana winds towards the south west.
From a look-out point near McGrath Elementary School in Newhall, nearly all of Santa Clarita was covered by the smoke clouds from the twin fires.
Looking east towards the Agua Dulce fire from Newhall. Winds were pushing smoke -and flame- towards the west. The winds were so strong at this look-out point that I felt pain on my legs, neck, and arms as sand particles slammed into me.
A hell-uva time for a photo shoot. Not sure what these people were doing all dressed up in 50+ mph winds, but I can't imagine they got good pictures.
A small patch of clear sky is evident in this shot, looking south-west. Note the cloud of dust kicked up by the winds in the vacant lot off of San Fernando Road.
Over near Golden Valley High School, two porta-potties had been knocked over by the high winds. Now, look closely. Those porta-potties are on the side of the street near Golden Valley High. On the opposite side of the street was a development of new homes. So I think those porta-potties were knocked over and blown across the road until they hit the gutter.
Disgusting debris from the porta-potties blows in the wind on a tree near GVHS.
The Agua Dulce fire as seen from the Golden Valley Road area.
The blaze burning near Castaic as seen from Interstate 5/Highway 126. This fire was moving east towards Piru, but may have forced Fire officials to put the Copper Hill neighborhood on alert. Check KHTS and the City for the most current information.
Picture taken from Newhall facing north east at 5:50 am.
Here's a video of the strong winds and hellish skies.

Comments (8)

  1. ChrisAOctober 21 at 11:26 PM PT
    I had to evacuate today. I'm back in my house but nervously so. We may have to leave again. Homes have been lost in my neighborhood, but not sure where yet. All schools closed tomorrow, at least all of those on the east side and COC as well. Hope everyone is doing okay.
  2. jeffOctober 22 at 12:00 AM PT
    I've heard rumors that apartment buildings in Canyon Country have been destroyed and that the full scope of the fire is unknown to the media. I don't know of any other places to check Mike. Sheriffs had a press conference just about a half hour ago, announcing school closures and evacuation areas. They're announcing the school closures, but there doesn't seem to be much information about the fire right now (11pm). Local TV news just showed some flames crawling towards a mobile home park in Canyon Country. Wish I had a phone number for you guys to call
  3. ChrisAOctober 22 at 4:48 AM PT
    3:45am. So far, we did not have to evacuate again. However, we haven't unpacked our car from the first time. Two houses were lost on Camp Plenty, and some houses were burned on the other side of White's Canyon. The Canyon Crest neighborhood lost some houses, too. We went out and looked, there is still something burning in Plum Canyon. Last night, it was burning on the as-yet undeveloped side of the road, but it may have gotten worse. My hubby has gone out in the car to see what he can find out.
  4. ChrisAOctober 22 at 6:45 AM PT
    5:40am Plum Canyon Area: fire is burning south of Nicholas Circle, off of Rodgers. Firefighters are doing structure protection and letting it burn itself out whenever possible. If you live in this area and are evacuated, chances are there is a firefighter in your backyard. They do a great job. There is also a flare up in upper Plum Canyon, below the water towers, above Heller Circle area. White's Canyon is closed between Plum & Steinway. Fire is also burning in the undeveloped area above (north?) of Soledad Canyon Road.
  5. jeffOctober 22 at 6:52 AM PT
    Thanks for the updates Chris. I'm sitting here in Newhall at 5:50 am and I can see flames when I look to the north east. It's dark outside, but it looks like the flames are on the southern side of Soledad. Three news choppers high in the sky, the ash is thick, and it's still windy.
  6. ChrisAOctober 22 at 7:19 AM PT
    In Saugus, the fire is burning in the Nicholas Circle area off of Rodgers, but it is burning towards Bouquet Canyon Road, away from the homes. Sadly, towards someone else's.
  7. ChrisAOctober 22 at 11:49 AM PT
    In the Saugus/Plum Canyon area, the winds have really picked up. The fire is burning down by the corner of Plum Canyon & Bouquet Canyon, behind the Vincenzo's. White's Canyon remains closed. Four homes lost on Camp Plenty, with a few others partially damaged. Haven't been to the other side of White's, but I'm sure a few were lost there as well. The fire came from there, might have burnt out the new park under construction.
  8. shotinfilmOctober 22 at 2:35 PM PT
    I live over off of San Franciscito Rd and Copper Hill, and was required to evacuate around 10:45am with my family. I just hear on channel 7 that the fire seems to be headed for that area. (The news caster specifically said "San Franciscito Road and Copper Hill". Thanks so much for putting the information links on your website! I found them last night and they've been very helpful! Most of the exceptionally good information is at: http://www.santa-clarita.com/

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