Ed. Note: This is the third in a four-part series looking at how three fires devastated the Santa Clarita Valley.

The upcoming 10-year anniversary of the Buckweed Fires offers Santa Clarita residents a reminder of the ever-present fire danger in Los Angeles County.

Firefighters responded to reports of a fire near Mint Canyon and Sierra Highway, in Agua Dulce at about 12:55 p.m. on October 21, 2007.

Fueled by strong Santa Ana winds and mixed brush, the fire quickly spread throughout the canyon. By 4:30 p.m., nearly 2,000 acres had burned as the fire moved toward Santa Clarita.

Over 1,000 firefighters were assigned to the fire that burned for four days, scorched over 38,000 acres, destroyed more than 60 structures and cost nearly $10 million to extinguish.

At 5:43 p.m., the fire was reported to be about 10,000 acres, numerous structures had been destroyed, and another 200 were threatened.

Evacuations were in progress for upper Bouquet Canyon, San Francisquito Canyon and Green Valley areas.

Evacuation centers were established at Hart High School, Saugus High School, Crown Valley Middle School and Meadowlark School.

By 8:30 a.m. the following morning, the Santa Ana winds helped the fire burn nearly 30,000 acres, and at least 25 structures were destroyed.

As the fire burned toward the Magic Mountain area of Santa Clarita, evacuations continued and now included Vasquez Canyon, Copperhill, and areas up to Spunky Canyon.

A total of 3,800 homes were threatened, as well as major electrical transmission lines.

The L.A. County Sheriff, and Animal Control coordinated animal evacuations.

Only residents were allowed into the evacuation areas. Both the Saugus Union School District and the Castaic School District cancelled classes.

The incident exceeded capabilities of available firefighting resources. By 2:00 p.m. the burn area exceeded 35,000 acres.

It was estimated that 15,000 people were evacuated from 5,500 homes.

As winds eased later that afternoon, the fire spread slowed, containment lines held, containment increased and the threat to the communities diminished.

Fires reportedly affected archaeological sites along the service road to Drinkwater Reservoir and along Del Sur Ridge the Red Legged frog, Arroyo toad and Stickleback fish.

At 5:45 pm, conditions had improved, evacuations were lifted and residents were allowed return.

By 6 p.m. on the third day of the fire, containment was at 80 percent, and mop-up, patrol and containment line improvement were the main focuses.

Related: Buckweed Fire Now 80% Contained

Both the Buckweed and Magic Fires were 100 percent contained on October 24, 2007.

Buckweed Fire Fast Facts

Incident#: LAC-07232185

County: Los Angeles  

Agencies in Unified Command: Los Angeles County Fire Department, USFS  

Start Report Date: October 21, 2007

Containment Date: October 24, 2007  

Total Acres: 38,356  

Direct Fire Suppression Cost:* US Forest Service $5,810,000 CAL FIRE $2,135,148  

Firefighters Assigned at Peak: 1,157  

Structures Destroyed: 63

Structures Damaged: 30  

Firefighters Injured: 1

Fatalities: 0

Fuels: Chaparral, mixed brush and grass

Cause: Undetermined

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