Wildfire destroys homes and structures, scorches Little Tujunga Canyon in Calif. | ABC7 Los Angeles

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By ABC7

Monday, October 13, 2008

LAKE VIEW TERRACE, Calif. The blaze began about 2 a.m. in a rugged area of Little Tujunga Canyon about 20 miles north of downtown Los Angeles. More than 1,000 people were evacuated out of their homes and one house was destroyed by the flames. The fire was 20 percent contained Sunday night and no serious injuries were reported.

Numbers from Little Tujunga Canyon wildfire:

20 percent contained
2,066 acres plus burned
450 homes evacuated
1 home destroyed
3 motor homes destroyed
Garage, several sheds destroyed

In Lakeview Terrace, residents were feeling a lot better in the late morning as both the flames and smoke were knocked down. Earlier, it was quite a scramble as horse trailers sped up and down the roads, carrying animals to safety after the mandatory evacuation.

People who live in Lakeview Terrace were awakened around 3 a.m. Many said that when they came outside and saw how close the flames were to their homes, they immediately prepared to evacuate.

There are many ranches in the area, with lots of horses and other animals. Some residents had difficulty getting their animals out safely because of tight roads and fire danger.

"We did find a way to go up, and the flames were right to the road and we had to turn our trailers around," said horse owner Tricia Hamilton.

Some people walked or rolled their animals to safer spots.

"We actually had a lot of volunteers who brought trucks, so we didn't have to do that. That was really wonderful to have," said horse owner Debbie Colomb. "But we still have to get the horses out of their stalls, and they get very excited because of all the flames and smoke and things like that."

Horses and other pets were being evacuated to the Hansen Dam Recreation Center. People were evacuated to San Fernando High School.

Santa Ana winds were blowing between 10 and 15 mph, but firefighters were aided by cool temperatures overnight. Highs were expected to be in the 70s on Sunday, but bumping up into the 80s and low 90s on Monday and Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Sid Garcia, Amy Powell, and The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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1 home destroyed, 2,066 acres burned