Sage Fire: 700 homes evacuated, more than 800 acres burned near Santa Clarita

SANTA CLARITA >> A brush fire ignited just west of Santa Clarita Saturday afteoon, growing to more than 800 acres in size by 5 p.m. and prompting neighborhood evacuations in the path of the spreading flames, officials said.

The wildfire was 15 percent contained, authorities said, adding that two fire fighters were treated for minor injuries.

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

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.

The hills west of the Newhall Pass were in flames, as water-dropping helicopters speckled the ridge lines as cars passed by the on 5 Freeway.

Tall plumes of beige smoke licked the sky near the Lyons Avenue exit. Pushed by steady winds, the flames bued near homes directly behind a Sit ‘n Sleep mattress store and filled the area with the acrid smell of buing brush.

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 Oakridge 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. Sheriff’s officials fielded deputies to protect the evacuated neighborhoods.

“In addition to Santa Clarita Station deputies, Temple Station, Walnut Station, South Los Angeles Station and Lomita Station persoel have been deployed to the fire with deputies securing the evacuated areas and road closures,” Los Angeles County Sheriff’s officials said in a written statement.

“They will remain until all evacuations are lifted and the area is reopened,” the statement continued. “Residents are urged to remain prepared and informed in the event additional evacuations become necessary.”

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A Red Cross evacuation center was established at West Ranch High School, 26255 Valencia Blvd in Stevenson Ranch, Medina said.

More than two-dozen evacuees congregated at the high school, situated on an bluff to the west of The Old Road.

Deborah Wolfe of the American Red Cross said no residents had formally checked into the evacuation center, but Red Cross stand remained on-hand to help with information, food and snacks.

“At this point, we have not been told to go into shelter mode,” she said. “It depends on the winds, and how the fire goes.”

Authorities were working to determine Saturday evening when some or all of the residents would be able to retu home.

Small animals were being accepted by the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control at the Valencia High School evacuation center, sheriff’s officials said.

Victor and Belinda Roman were evacuated from their Hazlecrest Lane home about 4:30 p.m.

“The flames were jumping in circles around our house,” Victor said. “But I wasn’t worried. Health insurance, life insurance and my wife takes care of me.”

Victor added that he saw a car crash over the side of the road at the outset of the fire, and suspected the crash sparked the flames.

Fire officials could not confirm the cause of the fire.

Belinda said the couple made a speedy exit once the evacuation orders came.

“We packed out stuff, grabbed a backpack of passports, birth certificated, life insurance and snacks, and of course, our two dogs,” she aid.

Liz and Jerry Wieffering of Valencia arrived at the evacuation not to seek help, but to see if they could provide some.

The couple offered evacuees the use of their large back yard to store pets.

The Wiefferings said they were confident officials would soon get the upper hand on the wildfire.

“I think the firefighters are on top of it. We’ve got some of the best firefighters in the nation,” Liz said.

As a result of the fire, the Califoia Highway Patrol shut down The Old Road, west of Laurel Crest Lane, and the Old Road at Lyons Avenue, officials added.