250 homes evacuated in Stevenson Ranch, more threatened, as brush fire rages beyond 450 acres

SANTA CLARITA >> A brush fire ignited just west of Santa Clarita Saturday afteoon, quickly growing to more than 450 acres in size and prompting neighborhood evacuations in the path of the spreading flames, officials said.

The fire was first reported about 12:05 p.m. at The Old Road and Calgrove Boulevard, near the 5 Freeway, Los Angles County Fire Department Dispatch Supervisor Cheryl Sims said.

• PHOTOS: Sage Fire buing out of control in Santa Clarita

By 4 p.m., officials estimated the fire had charred between 450 and 600 acres, she said.

More than 200 firefighters rushed to the scene, aided by 10 water and fire-retardant dropping aircraft, Sims said.

Evacuations were ordered for 250 homes, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

No injuries or structure damage had been reported, said fire inspector Gustavo Medina.

“We do have structure protection in place,” the inspector said. Authorities dubbed the incident the Sage Fire.

Evacuated areas included the Moing Mist community, except for Southe Oaks Drive, fire officials said. Homes along Southe Oaks Drive, between Greenbriar Drive and Meadow Lane were also evacuation orders, we well as Oldstone Road. The evacuations were later expanded to include Autumn Place, Shady Glen Court and Magnolia Lane, west of Oakrdige Road, according to the fire department.

Sagecrest Circle, between the Old Road and Laurel Crest lane were also placed under evacuation about four hours after the fire ignited, Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials said in an online community alert.

An evacuations center was established at West Ranch High School, 26255 Valencia Blvd in Santa Clarita, Medina said.

United States Forest Service firefighters were reportedly assisting their Los Angeles County counterparts in with the wildfire.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.