On October 28, 1949, a small aircraft crashed in Haskell Canyon near Saugus, igniting a wind-driven blaze that scorched more than 3,500 acres in the surrounding hills.

The accident claimed the life of pilot Louis Malcom Chappell, a 22-year-old whose name was incorrectly reported at the time as “Lewis Chappel.”

According to contemporary news reports, the crash sparked a fire that raged across Del Sur Ridge – the hills separating Bouquet and Haskell Canyons – threatening hundreds of homes in Bouquet Canyon.

Firefighter on Haskell Canyon Fire: Near Santa Clarita in Los Angeles County); The photo shows Los Padres Hot Shot Foreman, Vince Messina, “hot-spotting” along the fire line. This photo was taken during the first year/fire season of the Los Padres Hot Shots existence. (Used with permission of National Museum of Forest Service History)

Nearly 300 firefighters, along with U.S. Forest Service crews and local law enforcement, worked around the clock to contain the flames.

Strong winds initially fanned the fire toward residential areas, prompting evacuation warnings, but shifting weather and intensive firefighting efforts ultimately prevented the loss of homes.

By the evening of October 30, the Los Angeles Times reported the blaze had been “checked as wind dies down,” allowing residents to return home.

Two firefighters suffered burns while combating the flames, and crews described the dense greasewood brush as burning “like gasoline.”

Los Padres Hot Shots Building Fireline: Facing the camera (left to right) is the Hot Shot’s first foreman, Vince Messina, and first Superintendent, Ezra Braden. Facing away from the camera in the foreground is crew member Sesma (last name only). This photo was taken during the first year/fire season of the Los Padres Hot Shot’s existence. Haskell Canyon Fire, near Santa Clarita in Los Angeles County. (Used with permission of National Museum of Forest Service History)

The Haskell Canyon fire was one of the largest incidents in Los Angeles County that year, abruptly ending what had been a record-low fire season in the Angeles National Forest.

U.S. Forest Service Chief William V. Mendenhall told the Times that, up to that point, only 41 acres had burned in 52 different fires throughout the forest.

To read yesterday’s Today in History, click here.

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