Saddle Ridge Fire is threatening the San Fernando Valley

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 The Saddle Ridge fire was first reported Thursday, October 10 at 9:03 pm. It’s location is near the Yarnell Road exit off Interstate 210 in the Sylmar area.  According to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group website, Inciweb, As of 4:19 am, the fire had grown to 4,600 acres with 0% containment. It’s been reported at least 25 homes have been destroyed.
The fire is being pushed by strong Santa Ana winds that have gusts up to 60 mph.
From the website:
MANDATORY EVACUATIONS: Number of homes estimated at 12,700
  • •ALL of Porter Ranch (north of 118FY) from Reseda to De Soto
  • •Oakridge Estates (north of 210FY)
  • •West of Balboa, North of Sesnon to the Ventura County border with DeSoto as the western border
(Courtesy of Caltrans)

EVACUATION CENTERS:

  • •People and small pets:
  • •Sylmar Recreation Center (13109 Borden Ave)
  • •Granada Hills Recreation Center (16730 Chatsworth St)
  • •Large Animals:Hansen Dam
ROAD CLOSURES
The 210 freeway was shut down in both directions between the 5 and 118 freeways, according to the California Highway Patrol.
It was a year ago that the Hill and Woosley fires tore through the area, forcing thousands of people to evacuate, while in Northern California, the city of Paradise was burned to the ground.
The Los Angeles Fire Department reported, via Twitter, the Granada Hills Recreation Area evacuation center is now full and a new center has been opened at 10500 Mason Rd, Chatsworth, CA 91311.

Road closures according to Caltrans:
SB 5 @ Calgrove
NB 5 @ 118
NB 14 at Newhall
WB 210 @ 118
WB 118 Balboa to DeSoto 
NB 405 @ 118
EB 118 connector to WB 210
EB 118 conn to NB 405
NB 405 conn to WB 118
NB/SB 5 conn to EB 118

The Angeles National Forest is in unified command with Los Angeles city and county fire departments.
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Update: The LAPD released these maps of the current evacuation areas.

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UPDATE As of Saturday Morning, October 12, 2019 at 9:13 a.m.: The fire has consumed 7,552 acres. At least 25 structures have been destroyed, with one minor injury to a firefighter and the death caused by cardiac arrest.
The fire is 19% contained.
If you have large animals that need to be evacuated;
  • Large Animals:
    • Hansen Dam (11770 Foothill Blvd)
    • If you need help with the evacuation of large animals, contact East Valley Animal Shelter 818-756-9323
Top photo courtesy of LAFD Unified Command