Brush fire quickly spreads up hillsides in Santa Clarita near 14 Fwy

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (KABC) -- Firefighters battled a fast-moving brush fire in Santa Clarita Friday along the northbound 14 Freeway near Sand Canyon.

Fueled by dry conditions and 20 mph gusts, the Sand Fire quickly spread to more than 3,300 acres with 0 percent containment by late evening.

Massive plumes of smoke were visible throughout the Los Angeles region, reported being seen in Orange County, Running Springs, Lake Arrowhead and other areas. Skies turned a golden-pinkish color during sunset.

Evacuation orders were in effect for homes in the Soledad Canyon along the 14 Freeway to Agua Dulce Canyon Road.

About 200-300 homes in the Little Tujunga area, from Bear Divide to Gold Creek, were under mandatory evacuations.

The area from Gold Creek to the bottom of Camp 16 was listed as voluntary evacuations.

The Red Cross opened an evacuation shelter at Golden Valley High School, 27051 Robert C. Lee Parkway, Santa Clarita.

No serious damage to people or property was reported yet. One minor firefighter injury was reported.

The blaze started around 2:38 p.m. at about five acres, then grew quickly in size as it burned uphill, according to authorities.

Ground crews worked through rugged and steep terrain. At one point, the 14 Freeway was closed down, but it was quickly reopened.

Temperatures hit the triple digits by the early afternoon.

Air tankers and helicopters dropped water as the blaze ate through the dry fuel along the hillsides.