California Fire Latest Update [MAP]: Sand Fire Nearly Fully Contained – Some Residents Allowed to Go Back Home; Metrolink Services Resumed
Sand Fire evacuees allowed to go back home but must present identification first; some evacuation centers still open.
The latest California Fire update is in and according to fire fighters, the Sand Fire which has ravaged nearly 39,000 acres of brush and private property is now nearly fully contained. U.S. Forest Service revealed Saturday that the fire was around 93 percent contained.
Latest Damage and Casualties
Around 1,697 fire fighters worked day and night to control the terrible fire that started along Sand Canyon Road on the northbound lane of the Antelope Valley Freeway. Fire authorities by ground and by air worked hard to put out hot spots and to extend containment lines. The Sand Fire destroyed 18 homes and claimed the life of a man who was found dead inside an SUV. The vehicle was located near his home inside the fire zone. He reportedly died of extensive thermal burns.
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Evacuees to Be Sent Home
More than 20,000 people were evacuated from their homes near and along the area of the Sand Fire. Evacuation orders were lifted Monday around 7 p.m. after authorities announced that the fire had been controlled.
Red Cross opened five shelters during the ordeal and is now sending evacuees home after the evacuation orders were lifted. An evacuation center located at Hart High School in Santa Clarita has remained open for the remaining residents affected by the fire.
Evacuees Told to Present Identification
As not all areas were declared completely safe, evacuees were instructed to present identification before they are allowed to move back in. And along with the affected communities, there are also roads that remain closed because of fire fighting activities in the affected areas. Roads including the Sand Canyon Road and the Placerita Canyon Road leading to Bear Divide and the Little Tujunga Canyon Road located north of the Wildlife Waystation remain closed till further notice. The same goes for a section of the Angeles National Forest, which is composed of hiking trails and small roads. Metrolink services along the Antelope Valley line have also resumed service Friday.
Terrible Dry Weather Conditions Continue
According to authorities, extreme hot and dry weather will continue for another day. Temperatures will reach a high of 90 degrees and relative humidity in the 20s, and 10s in some areas affected by the fire. Triple-digit temperatures, strong winds and very dry surroundings are believed to have fuelled the fire over the week.
