Sand fire Day 4: 10,000 homes under evacuation, 33,100 acres burned

Nearly 3,000 firefighters were battling the Sand fire in the Santa Clarita and Acton areas in its fourth day in an effort to control the blaze that has scorched more than 33,100 acres, destroyed 18 homes and forced the evacuation of thousands of residents.

• COMPLETE COVERAGE: The Sand fire spreads on Day 3

About 10,000 homes remained under evacuation orders Monday moing with the fire still only 10 percent contained, said Marc Peebles, a spokesman for the Southe Califoia Incident Management Team 3 of the blaze’s unified command.

• PHOTOS: Deadly Sand Fire Destroys 18 Homes in Angeles National Forest and Santa Clarita area

• MORE PHOTOS: Fire crews attack the Sand Fire oveight on Sunday

“We have a huge structure defense contingent in Soledad Canyon near Acton, as well as Placerita Canyon,” Peebles said. “I believe there are (also) strikes teams in the Sand Canyon area.”

• VIDEO: Time-lapse shows billowing smoke, flames from Sand Fire

The number of homes bued remained at 18 Monday moing, though there could have been some outbuildings, such as sheds, that were destroyed in the blaze, Peebles said.

Los Angeles County coroner’s officials on Monday had yet to identify a man who was found bued in his car Saturday night in a driveway of a Santa Clarita home on the 26700 block of Iron Canyon Road.

While an autopsy has yet to be performed, “it appeared to be (the cause of death was) that he was bued,” said Ed Winter of the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner.

Two firefighters sustained minor injuries in the fire’s initial days, Peebles said. The United States Forest Service, Los Angeles County Fire Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department are fighting the fire in unified command.

“We had significant resources come in late yesterday and last night — (and) a very large day shift coming out today,” Peebles said. “A significant amount of air resources will be working the fire.”

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