Fire in Castaic Razed At Least 5 Homes to the Ground

A bush fire caused by aggressive winds destroyed at least five homes in Castaic on Thursday. The blaze quickly broke out after a fire erupted in Canyon Country.

Authorities believe winds, speeding at about 40 mph, blew ashes from the Tick fire into the bush in other fields, sparking the other blaze in Southern California.

The fire was initially dubbed The Old Fire but was later deemed to be an extension of the Tick Fire. Flares could be seen going uphill behind a row of homes on The Old Road.

Fires have burned more than 3,900 acres and relocated more than 50,000 people in the area. Officials said they are now handling all fires as the Tick fire.

"Because of the wind, you had embers cast throughout the area in separate directions," said Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Tony Imbrenda.

The Castaic fire began about 3:15 p.m. near Lake Hughes Road, off the 5 Freeway.

Initial reports put the fire at three acres. Heavy winds drove flames to a rapid rate of spread, growing to more than seven acres, burning several homes along a hillside area. By about 7 p.m., the fire had stopped its spread and authorities reopened the 5 Freeway at the same time.

Evacuations were ordered for the residents in the area of 14 Freeway, east of Whites/Plum Canyon, south of Vasquez Canyon and west of Agua Dolce while firefighters defended the structures on the grassy hillsides. Authorities directed evacuees to various evacuation sites in Santa Clarita.

Hundreds of firefighters from Orange County, Ventura County, and San Bernardino County assisted in the Los Angeles County crews in the area to eliminate the fire. Air tankers and helicopters deployed in the area made water drops throughout the affected region.

In a news report from Fox5 San Diego, San Bernardino County fire spokesperson Eric Sherwin attributed the proactive positioning of other means to eliminate the fire - 10 fire engines and four hand crews - in nearby Devore with support to limit the damage done by the Old Water fire.

About 5 miles south of Castaic, a separate fire in Val Verde sparked among a group of mobile homes, authorities said. Four mobile homes burned in that blaze near the intersection of San Martinez Road and Chiquito Canyon Road.

The firefighters prepared to shore up the line around the fire late at night to prevent the blaze from spreading over containment lines, San Bernardino County Fire Department spokesperson Tracey Martinez said.

The challenge Thursday night and Friday continues to be the weather, firefighter team leaders heard at a windblown command post evening briefing at Wildwood Park in San Bernardino.

With Santa Ana winds creating dangerous conditions that could spread wildfires, Southern California Edison cut the power Thursday to up to 31,000 customers and was considering cutting power to areas that serve 386,000 more.