700 homes evacuated as Sage Fire consumes up to 600 acres near Santa Clarita

SANTA CLARITA >> A brush fire ignited just west of Santa Clarita Saturday afteoon, growing to more than 700 acres in size by 5 p.m. and prompting neighborhood evacuations in the path of the spreading flames, officials said.

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

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

By 5 p.m., officials estimated the fire had charred more than 700 acres, Los Angeles County Fire Department officals said.

The wildfire was 5 percent contained.

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

No structure damage had been reported, fire Inspector Gustavo Romero said.

“We do have structure protection in place,” the inspector said.

Two firefighter was treated for minor injuries, authorities added.

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; Oldstone Road; Autumn Place; Shady Glen Court and Magnolia Lane, west of Oakrdige Road: Sagecrest Circle, between the Old Road and Laurel Crest Lane; Hazlecrest Lane; Bracken Lane; Laurel Crest Lane; Sagrecrest Way to Smokewood Way, Summerhill Lane; South Wind Court; and Jasmine Lane, fire officials said.

Authorities asked residents to promptly evacuate when notified and keep roadways clear for fire apparatus.

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.