Crews battle Pointe Fire near Santa Clarita residential area, forward progress stopped

The 52-acre Pointe Fire in Santa Clarita, which had threatened homes in the area, is 32% contained, as forward progress of the blaze has stopped. 

At the onset of the blaze, aerial footage showed flames within the brush near Photoflash Road, spreading to Soledad Canyon Road. Los Angeles County Fire Department ground crews and water-dropping helicopters responded, with attention to residential areas within the possible footprint of the Pointe Fire. 

An evacuation warning was issued for Centre Pointe Pkwy, near Bowman High School. "Prepare to leave if you live here or are nearby," LASD wrote in an alert. 

Flames began spreading south, away from the immediate residential area. The fire was first reported around 1:40 p.m., and around 3 p.m., crews appeared to have the upper hand in controlling the blaze. By 3:55 p.m., LACoFD said forward progress of the blaze had stopped. 

LA County Fire said they had two strike teams pre-positioned in the Santa Clarita Valley, allowing them to quickly get a handle on the blaze. It added that more crews will be pre-positioned in the area on Thursday. 

An extreme heat warning is also in effect for the area, with afternoon temperatures in Santa Clarita reaching 103.