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Wildfire Today

The Tick Fire spread rapidly north of Los Angeles Thursday afternoon

Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories WildfireTags ,

The Tick, Old, and Verde fires were being pushed by strong winds

LOCATIONS of the Tick, Verde, and Old Fires
Map shows the APPROXIMATE LOCATIONS of the Tick, Verde, and Old Fires north of Los Angeles. This map should not be used for planning or evacuation purposes. Click to enlarge.

6:16 p.m. PDT October 24, 2019

At least three wildfires were actively spreading on the north side of Los Angeles in Santa Clarita’s Canyon Country Thursday afternoon. At 5:35 the Los Angeles County Fire Department said the largest of the three, the Tick Fire, had burned 3,000 acres. (see map above) By 5:45 p.m. the fires were not spreading as quickly as they were three hours before.

(To see all articles on Wildfire Today about the Tick Fire, including the one posted at 6:33 a.m. Oct. 25, click here.)

TV news helicopters have shown images of burning homes. Wind-blown embers have started spot fires long distances ahead of the main fire.  Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for residents in some locations both north and south of the 14 freeway.

Early Thursday afternoon the Saugus weather station  recorded winds out of the north-northeast of 18 to 26 mph gusting at 32 to 48. The temperature was 83 degrees with 4 percent humidity. By 5:45 p.m. the wind had slowed to 14 mph gusting to 28, still out of the north-northeast. The humidity was 4 percent.

Two other blazes, the Old and Verde Fires, are also being suppressed in the Castaic area west of Interstate 5. The Verde Fire was stopped after it burned one acre and four travel trailers. The Old Fire required the northbound lanes of Interstate 8 to be shut down. Its name was changed to Tick Branch 10.

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Author: Bill Gabbert

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.