The fire was reported Monday afternoon in the area of Bouquet Canyon and Spunky Canyon roads, which is east of the reservoir between Lancaster and Santa Clarita.
Preliminary reports indicated at least 10 structures were being threatened by the flames. County firefighters moved into structure protection mode.
Evacuation orders were being issued for homes within 5 miles to the south of Bouquet Canyon.
The fire spread quickly Monday afternoon in dry brush and rough terrain.
But by 6 p.m., it appeared a rapid attack from the air and ground had helped contain the fire, with no active flames showing as AIR7 HD flew overhead.
At one point it had been estimated at 300 acres, but fire officials later said more accurate mapping plotted the damage at 230 acres. Containment was estimated at 20% by Monday evening.
The blaze was named the Martindale fire for Martindale Ridge Road near the fire's origin.
The fire erupted just as weather conditions in the Southland significantly increased the danger of fires spreading rapidly. Santa Ana winds returned Monday as well as hot temperatures, leading to red flag warnings across the region.
The warning for the Santa Clarita Valley and mountain areas of Los Angeles County expired at 5 p.m. Monday.
Winds were blowing about 5-10 mph, with gusts about 15 mph, near the blaze, according to the National Weather Service.
At the ridgetops, winds blew about 10-20 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph. Humidity was reported at about 10% amid 90-95 degree temperatures.
Bouquet Canyon Road was closed from Vasquez Canyon north to the reservoir.
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City News Service contributed to this report.