Crime & Safety
Containment Efforts Continue For Saddleridge Fire In North SFV
With strong winds and red flag conditions forecast this weekend, firefighters are battling the Saddleridge Fire in the San Fernando Valley.
SAN FERNANDO VALLEY -- With strong winds and red flag conditions forecast for today and through the weekend, firefighters battling the Saddleridge Fire in northern San Fernando Valley worked to increase containment lines and extinguish hot spots.
The fire -- which has burned close to 8,400 acres -- destroyed 19 structures and damaged 88 more since it erupted about 9 p.m. Oct. 10 off the westbound Foothill (210) Freeway near Yarnell Street and Saddle Ridge Road in Sylmar.
The blaze was 68% contained as of about 7:30 a.m. Friday.
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The National Weather Service reported that winds in the area were blowing at 25 mph and would get stronger.
Los Angeles police warned that ``smoldering embers can pick up and start again'' and urged people to immediately call 911 if fire is spotted.
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``Firefighters worked hard... in rugged terrain throughout the burn area to increase containment lines and address hot spots,'' according to a statement from the unified command, made up of the Los Angeles city and county and Angeles National Forest fire departments.
``Tactical patrols will remain in place... to monitor the area for smoldering debris. (Thursday night) will bring gusty winds that are expected to increase Friday morning.''
After breaking out, the fire quickly spread due to wind-blown embers that jumped the Golden State (5) Freeway spreading flames into Granada Hills and Porter Ranch. At the height of the fire, an estimated 100,000 residents were under mandatory evacuation orders, all of which have since been lifted.
Fire crews have been aided in recent days by calm winds, but those conditions were not going to hold.
``Gusty northwesterly winds are expected (Thursday) evening through Sunday, especially across Santa Barbara and Los Angeles counties,'' according to the National Weather Service. ``The strongest winds will be (Thursday) into early Friday, and Saturday night into Sunday. Weak to moderate Santa Ana winds are expected Sunday through Thursday.''
Forecasters said the Antelope Valley and Golden State (5) Freeway corridor through the Santa Clarita Valley were likely to experience the highest winds.
The cause of the Saddleridge Fire remains undetermined, but the point of origin was identified by LAFD arson investigators as a 50-foot-by-70-foot area beneath a Southern California Edison high-voltage transmission tower near Saddle Ridge Road, officials said.
