Sheriff’s captain: 4 arrested in LA County wildfire, including 2 juveniles suspected of arson

4 arrested in connection with wildfire north of LA

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. — Authorities say four people have been arrested in connection with a 40-acre wildfire that briefly threatened homes north of Los Angeles, including two juveniles suspected of arson.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Capt. Mike Parker says the two arson suspects were arrested just after the fire was contained Sunday afternoon. And he says a 33-year-old man and another juvenile — a 16-year-old boy — were arrested for allegedly interfering with firefighters.

Parker says Santa Clarita residents reported seeing the two arson suspects just south of where the fire originated. He had no further details on their ages or identities.

Parker says the two suspected of obstructing firefighters were not connected to each other. But he says each stood dangerously close to the fire, refused to leave the area, prevented helicopters from dropping water, and had to be rescued before they were arrested.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (AP) — Firefighters have contained a 40-acre wildfire that briefly threatened about 50 homes north of Los Angeles.

LA County Fire Inspector Frederic Stowers says the fire in Santa Clarita was contained at about 4:30 p.m. Sunday, nearly three hours after it started.

Stowers says sheriff’s deputies knocked on about 50 doors giving voluntary evacuation orders before the fire moved north into the wilderness. About 150 firefighters and four water-dropping helicopters were assigned to the blaze.

Stowers said deputies arrested a man for interfering with firefighting operations, but he had no details.

There was no immediate word on the fire’s cause.