A fast-moving fire fueled by dry grass and brush has spread to about 600 acres in an uninhabited area near Mint Canyon in Santa Clarita, fire officials said.
The blaze, dubbed the Mint Fire, began around 8 a.m. Saturday and quickly spread upslope, rapidly consuming the light vegetation near Sierra Highway and Highway 14, said fire information officer Nathan Judy of the National Forest Service. As of midafternoon, more than 300 firefighters had the fire 20% contained.
No structures were threatened, and there were no injuries reported. Twenty-six aircraft, including seven air tankers and two super scoopers, were aiding in the effort in the difficult-to-access terrain, Judy said.
He said that although the fire had slowed during the afternoon, officials were concerned the winds could shift in the evening, sending the flames southwest. The area has been on high fire alert since Labor Day weekend because of dry vegetation and other factors, he said.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
-- Victoria Kim
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