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Firefighters are now fighting a fire that has grown to 3,662 acres Saturday has changed direction and is heading northeast, away from Castaic.

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An evacuation for Cottonwood Campgrounds has been issued. Elizabeth Lake Road and Hughes Road have both received hard closures.

“The fire was reported at Tule Canyon, and then it kind of went southwest toward Ruby Canyon,” said Lisa Lugo of the U.S. Forest Service at 4:30 p.m. Saturday. “And now it’s turned northeast going into Red Fox Canyon.” 

As of 3 p.m. the fire is still at 15 percent containment and there is no exact number on how many more acres have burned. U.S. Forest Services Spokesperson John Wagner said there is a projected date of June 5 for containment, but it depends on weather conditions. 

At 1:45 p.m., Nathan Judy of U.S. Forest Services said the fire has grown, but there is exact number on the acres. 

“We’re looking for good temperatures (Sunday),” Judy said. “The temperatures can help us slow the fire down.”

Temperatures are expected to reach 100 degrees Saturday.

As of 12:26 p.m., the Powerhouse Fire has grown to 3,662 acres and is now heading southwest from Tule Canyon toward Ruby Canyon, according to Ron Ashdale of U.S. Forest Service.

There are now 958 personnel on sight battling the blaze, which is still at 15 percent containment.

The community of Green Valley is no longer under mantadory evacuation. Cottonwood Campgrounds and a juvenille detention center were evacuated after the closures of Elizabeth Lake Road and Lake Hughes Road, Judy said.

Road closures at San Fransciquito Canyon Road and Bouquet Canyon Road are still restricted.

While smoke is visible throughout the Santa Clarita Valley’s skyline, the fire has a ways to go before it approaches our borders, according to Santa Clarita spokeswoma Gail Ortiz.

“The fire is still quite far up in the forest,” Ortiz said. 

“So no need to worry, it has a ways to go before it gets near Santa Clarita. Los Angeles County Fire is prepared with strike teams if it does get closer,” Ortiz said.

Firefighters have been battling the fire since Thursday when it was spotted by a power plant station operator near San Fransciquito Canyon Road. 

Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or drop us a line at community@hometownstation.com.

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Source: Santa Clarita News
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