Sage fire holds at 1,100 acres, 85 percent contained

A brush fire that erupted Saturday near Santa Clarita and has bued about 1,100 acres — injuring three firefighters and prompting temporary evacuations — is now 85 percent contained, Los Angeles County fire officials said Monday evening.

About 700 firefighters from various agencies, including five strike teams, 33 engines, one helicopter and one fixed-wing aircraft continued battling the blaze Monday, Los Angeles County Fire Department spokesman Joey Napoli said earlier in the day.

The Sage fire was reported at about 12:05 u2009p.m. Saturday and originated in the area of Sage Crest Circle and The Old Road in unincorporated Losu2009Angeles County, Los Angeles County fire officials said. The blaze had grown to 800 acres by Saturday night and more than 1,100 acres by Sunday moing.

“The good thing is that we are holding it at 1,100 acres,” Los Angeles County fire Inspector Gustavo Medina said Monday. “It’s a good thing we have increased the containment percentage wise.”

Residents from some 700 homes evacuated from the Stevenson Ranch area of Santa Clarita on Saturday but were allowed to retu the same night as firefighters made progress.

Road closures were easing up Monday, with most of Pico Canyon expected to be open and Sagecrest slated to be open shortly, Medina said. Towsley Canyon and Lyon Canyon would also remain closed, he said.

One home was damaged early Sunday after a fire ignited in the attic in the 25000 block of Dogwoodu2009Court in the Sagecrest neighborhood, which was among those that had been temporarily evacuated the night before. But whether that fire was related to the larger blaze was still under investigation, Medina said.

One inmate firefighter and a firefighter from an unidentified agency sustained minor injuries Saturday and were taken to the hospital, Medina said. A third firefighter sustained minor injuries Sunday.

Most of the injuries were heat related, officials said.

Firefighters have had to contend with steep terrain, high heat and low humidity in battling the blaze, including a red flag waing Sunday and Monday.

The cause of the fire was still under investigation Monday, said L.A. County fire Capt. Tony Imbrenda.

Staff Writer Greg Wilcox contributed to this report.

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