A wildfire in the Angeles National Forest and Santa Clarita has burned more than 1,500 acres and was only 15% contained Friday, the Los Angeles County Fire Department said.

The flames are chewing through dried-out brush and chaparral in the steep, rugged terrain not far from Castaic Lake. So far, one structure has burned and one minor injury has been reported, officials said.

Six-hundred firefighters, 10 fixed-wing aircraft and eight air tankers were battling the blaze in the Angeles National Forest north of Castaic.

Mandatory evacuations in the Green Valley area north of S. Portal Road and west of San Francisquito Canyon Road are still in place, the Palmdale Sheriff’s Department said.


The heat, humidity and rough terrain will likely be the biggest challenges for firefighters, said Stuart Seto, a weather specialist at the National Weather Service.

Temperatures were in the mid-90s and expected to drop to about 70 degrees later Friday. Humidity is low, about 5%, but it is expected to increase to 25% Friday evening.

Winds were low Friday but expected to increase and switch directions Saturday, gusting up to 18 mph. Winds blowing from the northeast will make a 180-degree switch to the southwest, Seto said.

An evacuation center has been set up at Marie Kerr Park, 39700 30 St. in Palmdale, and large animals can be taken to the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds at 5210 W. Avenue I in Lancaster. Small animals can be taken to the Lancaster Animal Shelter at 5210 W. Avenue I in Lancaster or the Castaic Animal Shelter at 31044, Charlie Canyon Rd. in Castaic.


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Twitter: @Sam_Schaefer

samantha.schaefer@latimes.com