Raging Sand Fire Chars More Than 35,000 Acres, Destroys 18 Homes
SANTA CLARITA (CBSLA.com) — A raging brush fire burning in the mountains near Santa Clarita has charred more than 35,000 acres and destroyed 18 homes.
Nearly 3,000 firefighters are battling the Sand Fire, which remains at 10 percent containment, fire officials said Monday.
Fire crews spent much of Monday working to tamp flames in Placerita Canyon.
RELATED: Complete List Of Mandatory Evacuations
As many as 10,300 homes have been evacuated, subsequently impacting more than 20,000 residents.
Fire officials announced Monday evening that all evacuation orders would be lifted at 7 p.m., with the exception of residents on Placerita Canyon Road between Running Horse Lane and Pacey Street, as well as residents on Little Tujunga Canyon Road between Wildlife Waystation and Sand Canyon Road / Placerita Canyon Road.
A man's body has been found inside a charred vehicle on Iron Canyon Road. Authorities believe the victim may have died trying to escape the fire. His identity is being withheld pending family notification.
COMPLETE COVERAGE: Sand Fire Forces Evacuations, Closures
A smoke advisory remains in effect for the San Gabriel and San Fernando valleys along with other parts of Los Angeles County.
The blaze erupted Friday afternoon near Santa Clarita and quickly spread into the Angeles National Forest.
On Saturday, flames destroyed a movie set in Canyon Country that served as the backdrop for several Western films.
About 400 exotic animals were evacuated from the Wildlife Waystation the same day.
Mandatory evacuations were issued for several Acton residents on Sunday.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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