Wildfire chars 25 acres, comes close to homes north of Los Angeles

Wildfire chars 25 acres north of Los Angeles

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. — Crews are protecting homes near a wildfire that has charred 25 acres of dry brush north of Los Angeles.

LA County Fire Inspector Frederic Stowers says the blaze briefly threatened houses in northern Santa Clarita before moving north away from neighborhoods and into the Los Padres National Forest.

Stowers says structures are no longer threatened but at least 50 homes are under a voluntary evacuation order. He says some residents are opting to leave so crews can focus on the fire and “not worry about saving people if need be.”

At least 150 firefighters from multiple agencies are at the scene, and four water-dropping helicopters are making runs over the blaze, which was reported around 2 p.m.

Stowers says crews are up against hot weather and wind gusts of up to 25 mph.

Santa Clarita is about 40 miles north of downtown Los Angeles.

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

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (AP) — Crews are protecting homes near a wildfire that has charred 15 acres of dry brush north of Los Angeles.

Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Frederic Stowers says the blaze came close to houses Sunday in northern Santa Clarita, but structures are no longer threatened. He says the fire is moving north away from neighborhoods and into the Los Padres National Forest.

Stowers says at least 150 firefighters are on the scene, with a number of them devoted to structure protection.

No evacuations have been ordered.