Rye Fire 25 percent contained after charring 7K acres in Santa Clarita
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (KABC) -- The Rye Fire, which has burned 7,000 acres in the Santa Clarita area, is now 25 percent contained and evacuations have been lifted, according to fire officials.
The quick-moving brush fire consumed thousands of acres and triggered evacuations of homes and schools after it was sparked on Tuesday and exploded in acreage that same day into Wednesday.
The blaze began about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday near the 2500 block of Rye Canyon Loop. Less than two hours later, it had spread to 5,000 acres, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
About 775 firefighters responded to the burn area, which was initially north of Newhall Ranch Road and west of the 5 Freeway. The interstate was temporarily closed in the burn area, but traffic resumed in both directions by 2 p.m.
After being evacuated, residents of the Stevenson Ranch community were allowed to return to their homes.
Simi Valley residents were on alert as the flames marched southwest toward that community. All Simi Valley Unified School District campuses were closed Wednesday "due to poor air quality and potential fire dangers from neighboring events," the superintendent, Dr. Jason Peplinski, said in a statement.
By Wednesday, the inferno had charred 7,000 acres west of Valencia, Cal Fire said on Twitter.
One structure was destroyed in the blaze, according to fire officials.
