Alta Fire Erupts in Antelope Valley

Los Angeles County firefighters were battling the Alta Fire after it broke out at 1:06 p.m. on Thursday near 230th Street West, east of Neenach, along the Los Angeles-Kern county line, according to CAL FIRE. The agency listed the fire at 335 acres in its initial public update and said evacuation warnings were issued in both counties. By 6:45 p.m. Thursday, CAL FIRE said all evacuation orders had been dropped and the fire remained about 334 acres. The cause was under investigation late Thursday. ### Where did the fire start, and how large did it get? CAL FIRE said the Alta Fire started in the block of 230th Street West, east of Neenach, at coordinates 34.7904 and -118.5278 in the Antelope Valley. The agency listed Los Angeles County Fire Department as the jurisdictional agency and said no incident management team had been assigned as of Thursday evening. A 2:40 p.m. incident update from CAL FIRE put the fire at 335 acres with 0% containment. The fire was burning in Los Angeles and Kern counties, according to the same update. ### Which evacuation zones were affected? CAL FIRE said evacuation warnings were issued for Los Angeles County zones LAC-E002, LAC-E006-A, LAC-E006-B, LAC-E006-C and LAC-E1641, along with Kern County zone KRN-152. The warnings were posted in the agency's first incident update Thursday afternoon. Kern County authorities later lifted the warning for zone KRN-152, according to a public alert distributed Thursday afternoon. By 6:45 p.m., CAL FIRE said all evacuation orders had been dropped. Los Angeles County's emergency portal directs residents to the Genasys protect map to check whether a specific address is under an evacuation warning or order. Ready LA County also tells residents to sign up for Alert LA County, an opt-in notification system that sends emergency alerts by text, email or phone call. ### What did officials say about the threat on Thursday? CAL FIRE said structures were threatened in its 2:40 p.m. update, though it did not report any destroyed or damaged structures, injuries or fatalities in that public posting. The agency's incident page continued to list the fire as active Thursday evening. CBS Los Angeles reported from the scene that winds of 5 to 10 mph were pushing flames east and that some residents were under shelter-in-place orders earlier in the afternoon. CAL FIRE's public incident page did not include a wind figure, but National Weather Service forecasts for the Antelope Valley called for southwest winds increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. ### Which agencies were handling information for residents? Los Angeles County Fire Department was listed by CAL FIRE as the agency having jurisdiction over the incident. Los Angeles County's emergency website said residents should use local fire and law enforcement channels for smaller, localized incidents and pointed people to road closure maps, shelter information and county emergency resources. Ready LA County said Alert LA County can send notices by text, email or phone call, while Wireless Emergency Alerts can also be delivered directly to cellphones in affected geographic areas. The county also said residents can call 211 for emergency preparedness information and referrals. ### What should residents watch next? CAL FIRE said Thursday evening that the Alta Fire remained at about 334 acres and that all evacuation orders had been dropped. The agency's incident page remained active, which means acreage, containment and evacuation information could still change with later updates. Los Angeles County residents can monitor the county emergency portal, Genasys evacuation maps and Alert LA County for any new notices tied to the Alta Fire. CAL FIRE's incident page and status update log are expected to carry the next official acreage and containment updates.