4,000-Acre Tick Fire Consumes Homes After Spreading Rapidly Into Canyon Country; Evacuations Ordered

A wind-driven wildfire broke out in Agua Dulce Thursday afternoon, forcing evacuations and destroying at least half a dozen homes as it spread rapidly into the Canyon Country area. Los Angeles County firefighters first reported the incident around 1:45 p.m. on the 31600 block of Tick Canyon Road. Dubbed the Tick Fire, it moved quickly downhill toward residential communities in Santa Clarita. Within 20 minutes, the flames had spread to 200 acres, and by 8 p.m. it covered an estimated 3,950 acres, according to the County Fire Department. Although officials had briefly listed the fire at 5,000 acres around 6:30 p.m., it was downgraded back to 3,000. It was 5% contained and forced the evacuation of 50,000 people, fire officials said. Several structures have been lost but it's unclear how many, firefighters said. Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said at least six homes had been lost. Aerial video showed the blaze was closing in on residences in a remote area before at least one in the area went up in flames just before 2:20 p.m. By 2:40 p.m., the flames were moving toward homes in the area of Sunrose Place, within Santa Clarita city limits, the video from Sky5 showed. Aircraft could be seen conducting water drops in the area...MORE