PALMDALE (LALATE) -  The Crown Fire is nearing Palmdale as the Agua Dulce Fire continues to threaten Rancho Vista.

The Crown Fire which started at 2 pm Thursday was at 8,000 acres at 8 am Friday. Tonight as of 6:30 PM the Crown fire is at 13,000 acres and has jumped key zones. The Crown Fire has jumped Elizabeth Lake Drive. It is narrowing on Rancho Vista Boulevard and Goddie Hill Rd.

Governor Schwarzenegger said tonight “Even though we have a budget crunch, everyone should be assured that we have money available for fighting these fires. Public safety is our No. 1 priority.”

LA Dept of Works tells local news tonight that the Fire has closed Elizabeth Lake from Bouqet Canyon Rd to Palmdale City Limit. It has closed Bouquet Canyone Road from Spunky Canyon Rd to Elizabeth Lake Rd. And it has closed Goode Hill Road from Elizabeth Lake Road to Avenue N. Two evacuation centers remain opened: Agua Dulce Elementary School at 11311 Frascati Street and Marie Kerr Park at 2730 West Rancho Vista Blvd.

LA Fire tells local news that the City of Palmdale will be conducting a community meeting at 7:30 pm today at the City of Palmdale Council Chambers at 38300 Sierra highway suite B, Palmdale 93550.

LA Fire reports 20% containment at 2 PM and 13,000 acres burnt. Local news reports 1700 firefighters on scene, a 747 water tank providing air support. The Fire jumped the California Aqueduct after 3 pm. Yet the fire is has been stopped from entering the Rancho Vista community as of 6 PM.

For evacuations centers, communities under mandatory evacuation, and the latest continuing coverage of the Crown Fire and other fires in the region, click here:

http://news.lalate.com/category/fires.

Below is the latest fire map (click to enlarge). File photo above.


View Crown IC (Agua Dulce) in a larger map