Bouquet Fire Explodes to 100 Acres Near Santa Clarita Amid Extreme Heat

A fast-moving brush fire erupted Saturday afternoon in the mountains northeast of Santa Clarita, exploding from roughly 5 acres to an estimated 100 acres in less than an hour and prompting a major firefighting response. The Bouquet Fire was reported at about 2:34 p.m. on the 34800 block of Bouquet Canyon Road in the Angeles National Forest.

Evacuation warnings have been issued for several zones, including LAC-E020, LAC-E018, LAC-E031, and LAC-E021. The blaze was initially burning north through light to medium brush at a moderate rate of spread, with structures threatened.

Within minutes of its initial report, the fire had ballooned to an estimated 15 to 20 acres, according to Watch Duty. By approximately 3:30 p.m., Los Angeles County firefighters were battling the estimated 100-acre blaze. Five additional air tankers were requested to assist in combating the fire, and law enforcement was asked to begin evacuation preparations as the fire rapidly expanded.