Explosive forest fire in the greater Los Angeles area 50 % contained by Sunday

Firefighters made steady progress Sunday on the fast‑moving Bouquet Fire in the Angeles National Forest, pushing containment to 48% even as evacuation orders and warnings remained in place for several communities north of Santa Clarita.

The wildfire, first reported Saturday afternoon near Bouquet Canyon Road and Quarry Road, exploded in size within hours, racing through steep, brush‑covered terrain under triple‑digit heat. The blaze grew from a few hundred acres to more than 1,000 acres by early evening, according to the U.S. Forest Service, before moderating overnight as ground crews and aircraft tightened control lines.

By Sunday night, officials confirmed the fire footprint at 1,048 acres, with containment rising from 40% in the morning to 48% by late day. Water‑dropping helicopters and fixed‑wing aircraft continued to support crews working the most active flank along Bouquet Canyon Road.

Mandatory evacuation orders remained in effect for zones LAC‑E018, LAC‑E030‑B, and LAC‑E031‑A, while additional surrounding zones stayed under evacuation warnings as a precaution. A shelter for displaced residents was opened at the Castaic Sports Complex Community Room, where small pets are also accepted.

Smoke from the fire prompted a Wildfire Smoke Advisory from the South Coast Air Quality Management District, with officials urging residents in the Santa Clarita Valley to limit outdoor activity. Bouquet Canyon Road at Vasquez Canyon Road remained closed with no estimated reopening time.

The Angeles National Forest said the area has not seen a wildfire of this scale in roughly two decades. Crews expect containment to continue increasing as temperatures ease, though officials cautioned that flare‑ups remain possible.

Further updates will follow as conditions evolve.