Newhall Homes Threatened by 300-Acre Fire

NEWHALL — A fire erupted late Monday afternoon in the dry brush of Newhall Pass, threatening dozens of homes, halting commuter trains and closing several roads for hours as it spread over 300 acres by nightfall.

Despite the efforts of about 450 firefighters, the blaze was still burning out of control late Monday night, raining ash over an area north of the intersection of the Golden State and Antelope Valley freeways.

No injuries were reported, and no homes or businesses were evacuated. Equipment on the scene included 42 fire engines, seven water-dropping helicopters and two airplanes, authorities said.

Los Angeles County fire officials said the cause of the fire, which began just before 4 p.m. near the 22000 block of Sierra Highway, was under investigation. Sheriff’s Sgt. Rick Doan of the Santa Clarita station, however, said the blaze was started by sparks from a welder.

The traditional peak of the brush fire season is still several weeks away, but dry conditions in the pass and low humidity made this fire a harbinger of what is perhaps to come.

“The fire danger is very, very high, and it’s a time for us to anticipate an even more dangerous season when the Santa Anas come,” said County Fire Capt. Steve Valenzuela, referring to the fierce winds that often drive Southern California’s autumn brush fires.

“We started out with a very early fire season, especially in the north county, because it typically dries out faster than the rest of the county.”

With memories still fresh of the blaze that burned its way from Calabasas to Malibu last October, officials quickly scrambled aircraft and crews from numerous agencies when Monday’s blaze--dubbed by officials the Sierra fire--was first reported. But 10- to 15-mph winds quickly blew the flames out of control.

At one point, the fire threatened the exclusive Wildwood Canyon area, where several large homes are situated. Although the wind died down as darkness fell, fire officials feared that it might shift 180 degrees and head back toward the canyon.

Although neither the Antelope Valley Freeway nor the Golden State Freeway was shut, several roads in the area were closed off to all but local traffic for hours.

The fire also burned across the top of a Metrolink train tunnel, halting rail traffic at one point in the afternoon, officials said. That route was reopened Monday night.

At dusk, with the smoke and ash making for a spectacular purple-and-pink sunset, the fire scorched a quarter-acre of Joan and Corky Randall’s 3-acre lot in the 23600 block of Pine Street. Joan Randall had packed up jewelry and photographs and was ready to flee.

“If the oak trees catch on fire,” she said, pointing to the line of trees that ring the property, “everything will go up.”

Her husband, meanwhile, hosed down the back lawn to keep the flames at bay, saying, “I was supposed to watch a football game at 5, and I ain’t seen one play.”

One of the homes threatened in Wildwood Canyon was that of Deputy Los Angeles Police Chief Mark Kroeker.

“There’s nothing but brush between the fire and me,” Kroeker said by phone about 5:30 p.m. “Right now, it’s moving away from my house.”

Kroeker said he had just completed some earthquake repairs to his Victorian-style home. “If it burns now, it’ll be sad,” he said.

Slater is a Times staff writer and Vitucci is a special correspondent. Staff writer Beth Shuster contributed to this story.