SANTA CLARITA, Calif. — Firefighters increased containment on the fast-moving Bouquet Fire on Sunday after the wildfire scorched more than 1,000 acres in the Angeles National Forest northeast of Santa Clarita, while evacuation orders and warnings remained in effect for nearby communities, officials said.
The fire began at about 3:19 p.m. Saturday near Bouquet Canyon Road and Quarry Road and spread rapidly through rugged terrain, growing to roughly 1,000 acres within hours, according to Cal Fire. By late Sunday afternoon, the fire had burned 1,048 acres and was 40% contained. The cause remains under investigation.
Los Angeles County emergency officials issued evacuation orders for several zones Saturday as flames threatened areas along Bouquet Canyon Road; additional neighborhoods remained under evacuation warnings Sunday, with authorities urging residents to be prepared to leave if conditions worsen. A shelter was opened at the Castaic Sports Complex, where small pets were also welcome, and Bouquet Canyon Road was closed from Spunky Canyon Road to Vasquez Canyon.
“If you’re in the area impacted by the Bouquet Fire, follow local evacuation orders and guidance from emergency officials,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement on X on Saturday.
Crews battled flare-ups Sunday with helicopters and air tankers, and officials warned of increased smoke as suppression efforts continued. The National Weather Service said fire activity was expected to increase during the day as temperatures rise and dry out fuels.
The fire is burning amid a prolonged Southern California heat wave expected to last through at least October 8. The National Weather Service issued extreme heat warnings and advisories for Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, with widespread highs of 92 to 105 degrees or higher. Warm overnight temperatures are raising both wildfire growth and heat-illness risk.
