SANTA CLARITA — About 400 firefighters are battling a brush fire Sunday near the Antelope Valley Freeway in Santa Clarita that has scorched 1100 acres as of 8 p.m., authorities said.

The brush fire jumped the 14 Freeway earlier in the day and burned 400 acres near Soledad Canyon and Agua Dulce Canyon roads and the 14, fire officials said. The northbound 14 was closed at Agua Dulce Canyon and southbound lanes were shut down at Soledad Canyon, the California Highway Patrol reported. Authorities were advising drivers to take the 5 or 138 Freeways instead.

The fire was first reported at 3:28 p.m. Sunday, said Los Angeles County Fire Department Dispatch Supervisor Melanie Flores.

County fire sent 18 engines, five trucks, five water-dropping helicopters to the scene. Fixed-winged aircraft were also sent to the scene to drop retardant, Flores said.

The Los Angeles Fire Department sent a water-dropping helicopter and strike team consisting of five engines to help, according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman Margaret Stewart and Flores. 

Evacuations were underway in the Agua Dulce Canyon Road area, fire officials said. About 200 people were notified of the evacuation but only nine homes were evacuated, authorites said at a press brifieng Sunday night. According to the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department, a temporary shelter will open at 8 p.m. in a Palmdale parking lot for evacuees at Victory Outreach, 37419 25th St East, but people must stay in their vehicles and can bring theor animals. The Red Cross will not be opening shelters because of the pandemic, but will assist those in need and arrange for hotels if necessary.

Evacuation map

The fire is also threatening nearby ranches, according to media reports from the scene.

The fire burned adjacent to the Angeles National Forest, authorites said. 

There was no containment on the blaze as of about 6:45 p.m. Sunday, Flores said.