Firefighters increased containment on the fast-moving Bouquet Fire on Oct. 4 after the wildfire scorched more than 1,000 acres in the Angeles National Forest in Southern California, while evacuation orders and warnings remained in effect for nearby communities, officials said.
The fire began at about 3:19 p.m. local time on Oct. 3 and spread rapidly through rugged terrain, growing to roughly 1,000 acres within hours, according to Cal Fire. By the late afternoon of Oct. 4, the fire had burned 1,048 acres and was 40% contained.
The blaze ignited near Bouquet Canyon Road and Quarry Road in the Angeles National Forest northeast of Santa Clarita, prompting evacuations, road closures and a large firefighting response from air and ground crews, Cal Fire
said.
Los Angeles County emergency officials issued evacuation orders for several zones on Oct. 3 as flames threatened areas along Bouquet Canyon Road. Additional neighborhoods remained under evacuation warnings on Oct. 4, with authorities urging residents to be prepared to leave if conditions worsen.
"If you're in the area impacted by the Bouquet Fire, follow local evacuation orders and guidance from emergency officials," California Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement on X on Oct. 3.
Fire crews battled flare-ups on Oct. 4 with support from helicopters and air tankers, according to Cal Fire. Authorities warned residents to expect increased smoke in the area as suppression efforts continued.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Evacuation orders, road closures remain in effect
The Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management said an evacuation order remained in effect for the most threatened zones, warning residents their safety could be at risk if they stay. A shelter was opened at the Castaic Sports Complex in the community of Castaic, located in northern Los Angeles County, for displaced residents.
As of Oct. 4, mandatory evacuation orders remained in place for three zones surrounding the wildfire, according to Cal Fire. Evacuation warnings were in effect for eight surrounding zones, and authorities warned that "those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock should leave now."
Bouquet Canyon Road remained closed between Spunky Canyon Road and Vasquez Canyon Road, according to Cal Fire. Temporary closures were also issued for the Rowher Flat and Drinkwater off-highway vehicle recreation areas.
While relatively few structures were immediately threatened because of the fire's remote location, Cal Fire said firefighters continued working to strengthen containment lines and protect nearby communities.
Authorities warned that fire activity was expected to "increase during the day as temperatures increase and contribute to heating and drying fuels."
Southern California heat wave raises wildfire concerns
The wildfire erupted as Southern California entered a prolonged heat wave expected to last through at least Oct. 8, according to the National Weather Service.
The weather service's Los Angeles office issued extreme heat warnings and heat advisories for much of Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, forecasting widespread highs of 92 to 105 degrees or higher. Forecasters also warned of a heightened risk of large, fast-moving fires in valleys and mountain areas.
The weather service said warm overnight temperatures and persistent heat could increase the risk of heat-related illnesses and create conditions favorable for wildfire growth. On Oct. 4, forecasters urged residents to stay hydrated, limit outdoor activity and watch for signs of heat illness.
The heat wave comes as much of the West remains warmer and drier than normal. Meteorologists previously told USA TODAY that a ridge of high pressure over the western United States is expected to keep conditions hot and dry through October, increasing wildfire risk across parts of the region.
Contributing: Doyle Rice
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bouquet Fire burns 1,000 acres amid Southern California heat wave
