Fire near Santa Clarita continues to burn out of control, explodes to more than 20,000 acres

[TexasTowelie]

A wildfire in the Santa Clarita Valley area has grown to more than 20,000 acres, prompting new evacuations Saturday for hundreds of homes in canyon areas, authorities said.

The evacuation order was issued about 3:15 p.m. for residents in Sand and Placerita canyons, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

At least 1,500 homes are threatened, fire officials said.

The Sand fire, which was reported about 2 p.m. Friday, is still only 10% contained, fire officials said.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-santa-clarita-fire-20160722-snap-story.html

[Beaverhausen]

1. I'm in Burbank getting lots of smoke

So many animal refuges in the fire zone. Wildlife Waystation had to evacuate but their sanctuary was spared.

[TexasTowelie]

2. The photos look devastating and the threat that it poses to the residents, animal sanctuaries and

other wildlife is unfortunate. Hopefully they can get the fire contained so there isn't more damage. Please stay safe.

[Iliyah]

3. Red sun here in Los Angeles

[kestrel91316]

7. That sky this afternoon was terrifying.

In spite of all the beautiful colors.......

[still_one]

4. The weather isn't helping either

[TexasTowelie]

5. I think that nearly all of the country would like to have a blast of Arctic air ad rain showers at

this point. It made it up to 100 degrees today where I live and I'm not that far inland from the Gulf of Mexico so the humidity is high also. Walking outside the door for any purpose is like standing by an oven.

[still_one]

6. True, but what makes it worse here is the drought we have had for several years

[PasadenaTrudy]

8. 33K acres and growing

It is so hot, dry, and windy here. That canyon area hasn't burned in over 30 years. I really wish they'd stop building in these tinderboxes and canyons..

[pinboy3niner]

9. UPDATE: 38,000-acre Sand Fire now at 40 percent containment

By John Gregory and ABC7.com staff
Updated 2 hrs 12 mins ago

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (KABC) -- The Sand Fire, which has burned more than 38,000 acres in the Santa Clarita area, is now 40 percent contained, according to fire officials.

It has charred approximately 38,346 acres as of the latest fire update Wednesday morning.

...

Nearly 3,000 firefighters from multiple agencies work day and night to calm the blaze, which quickly exploded when it first broke out Friday afternoon.

...

While firefighters are gaining the upper hand in the fight, officials said they still have 60 percent of the fire to contain. Fire officials are also asking people to stop operating drones in the area, which has hampered firefighting efforts from time to time.

...

http://abc7.com/news/sand-fire-now-at-40-percent-containment/1445009/

I learned that a friend took her horse trailer out there and picked up some horses, which she is now guest boarding to assist evacuees. She normally does mustang rescue, but rushed to help out here when this began.

They are also sheltering livestock at a high school near me and at our local fairgrounds.