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Powerhouse fire reaches Poppy Reserves

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A view from Lake Elizabeth by JAMES STAMSEK.
A view from Lake Elizabeth by JAMES STAMSEK.
Photo by JAMES STAMSEK.
Photo by JAMES STAMSEK.

ANTELOPE VALLEY – The “Powerhouse” fire continues to rage and has grown to more than 19,500 acres, authorities said Sunday. By Sunday afternoon, the fire had crossed Lancaster Road and was well established in the Poppy Reserves, according to AV Fire News.

The fire is 20% contained with three reported injuries. Fifteen structures have been reported damaged, and five of the 15 structures were destroyed, according to a Sheriff’s Department update.

As the fire continues to move in a northbound direction, approximately 1,000 residents are being threatened.

The following evacuations and road closures were in effect as of 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.

EVACUATIONS:

  • The Lake Hughes Community is under mandatory evacuation.
  • Cottonwood Campground has been completely evacuated.
  • The Lake Elizabeth community is under voluntary evacuation.
  • The residential area at the intersection of Munz Ranch Road and the California Aquaduct is under voluntary evacuation.
  • All residents north of South Portal and west of San Francisquito Canyon Road are asked to evacuate.
  • Probation Camps John Munz and William Mendenhall (approximately 140 juveniles), have been evacuated to Barry J Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar.
  • Hard Closure (EMS Personnel Only)
  • West of Bouquet Canyon on Elizabeth Lake Road to Lake Hughes Road
  • Johnson Road to Elizabeth Lake Road
  • Munz Ranch Road to Elizabeth Lake Road
  • Photo by NOE VILLEGAS.
    Photo by NOE VILLEGAS.

    Lake Hughes road has been closed from Elizabeth Lake road to Lake Castaic

  • San Francisquito Canyon road is closed above the Power House and below Green Valley
  • Soft Closure (Residents and EMS Personnel Only)
  • San Francisquito Canyon Road at Copper Hill
  • Bouquet Canyon Road, Spunky Canyon and Vasquez Canyon Road
  • The California Highway Patrol is allowing limited resident traffic only at San Francisquito Rd and Elizabeth Lake Rd

 

HIKERS

Hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail are being redirected from the trail at Bouquet Canyon Road and routed north outside of the Forest boundary along the California Aqueduct trail. Hiking Plan: http://nixle.com/alert/4983133/

SHELTERS

A Red Cross evacuation center has been set up at Marie Kerr Park (Recreation Center), located at 2723-A Rancho Vista Blvd, in the City of Palmdale. For further information contact Stephen Maxey of the Red Cross at (626) 536-1152 or (661) 433-9710.

An evacuation site for large animals has been set up at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds (Gate 3), located at 2551 West Avenue H, in the City of Lancaster. For smaller animals the evacuation center site is the Lancaster Animal Care center, located at 5210 West Avenue I, in the City of Lancaster or the Castaic Animal Care Center, located 31044 N. Charlie Canyon Road.

Get the latest “Powerhouse” fire updates at:

For TWITTER updates on the Powerhouse fire:

Filed Under: Lancaster, Palmdale

14 comments for "Powerhouse fire reaches Poppy Reserves"

    • Hi! The Rock Inn is fine…I’m a waitress there. Open for business and fully functional. Come on by! As for Pinker Place, the one in Leona Valley is open, not sure about any of the others.

  2. I’m so happy that the skies are not filled with smoke and ashes. However, we still have to be careful of the tiny particles floating in the air.

    The Red Cross is never wrong and they should be honored for all the work they do throughout the world.

  3. Just heard on KCAL 9 a local Dr. showed up at shelter to offer her home to those evacuated & Red Cross turned her away, wouldn’t even let her talk to the ppl. Sounds like they aren’t letting local businesses or individuals help out

    • I imagine anyone they deal with has to be properly fetter regardless of their profession.
      They are experts in this business, there are liability issues galore.

      • There are a few issues at work here. First, it’s best to leave it to agencies like the Red Cross and other community based groups because they have experience in transitioning people from evacuees, to displaced, to short/long term shelter and housing if they have experienced loss of a home.

        Second, you often never know who is “volunteering” their home or why. In a worst case scenario, what if Dr. is really some deranged person and the authorities sent some family into their house of horrors?

        Lastly, many of the evacuations are being lifted and people are able to return home.

    • I know Nadia Cakes had a huge issue with the Red Cross not letting them donate all of the supllies they gathered at the drive they had. They had to go directly to the firefighters and police officers to hand deliver the things they collected. They collected 10 truck fulls and I believe the Red Cross only allowed them to donate 3 or 4. Seems weird to me.

    • Prayers go up for the continued safety of the fire personnel and all of the impacted residents and their animals.