CREWS WORK TO SQUELCH BRUSH FIRE NEAR JAILS.

Byline: Carol Rock Staff Writer

CASTAIC - A 50-acre fire Monday afternoon on the grounds of the Pitchess Detention Center consumed grass and small brush, but threatened no structures.

In 100-degree heat, hot northeast winds drove the flamestoward the Tesoro del Valle and Copper Hill neighborhoods, where fire crews stood by to protect the homes.

The blaze started near the firing range at the Castaic jail complex and quickly spread. Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Mark Savage said the initial quarter-acre fire, which was reported at 2:06 p.m., grew to a two- alarm fire in less than a half-hour. At least 150 firefighters were on the scene.

There were no evacuations due to the fire, which was 75 percent contained by late afternoon. There are five jails on the grounds of Pitchess, as well as numerous training facilities for sheriff's deputies, including the firing range.

Fire officials predict that this fire season may be as bad or worse than last year's because of a drought going into its sixth year that has left behind bone-dry vegetation. Hot shot crews, which specialize in fast-moving fires in difficult terrain, have already been deployed in Texas Canyon and the surrounding areas as a preventive measure.

Firefighters may get some relief today, as temperatures should begin to decline. The high today is expected to be in the lower 90s, and by the end of the week the high should dip to the 70s.