FIRE STOPPED AT BORDERS OF HOUSING TRACTS; FLAMES RACE TO WEST PALMDALE.

Byline: Bhavna Mistry Staff Writer

Firefighters wrapped up their battle Monday against a 3,100-acre brush fire that blackened hills from Acton to west Palmdale and choked the Antelope Valley with smoke.

Started by an electrical generator that caught fire about 4 p.m. Sunday at a Shannon Valley Road home, the fire damaged that house and some sheds but was stopped by firefighters before it reached subdivisions in west Palmdale.

``We positioned equipment and personnel near the homes,'' Dennis Cross, a county fire inspector, said. ``It definitely came close to homes.''

At the height of the battle, more than 400 Los Angeles County and city firefighters were on the fire lines with help from 47 fire engines, two bulldozers and four helicopters.

Firefighters said they were helped by the coming of night, which brought cooler temperatures and calmer winds. They halted the flames just south of the California Aqueduct, which flows through a wide flat valley at that point.

The fire was the largest in several years in the Antelope Valley, and officials say it could signal the start of a severe brush fire season.

``The fire season in California never really opens or closes,'' Cross said. ``But there are times like this, when it's dry and hot, that there is more of a potential.''

As flames raced across the hillsides Sunday night and down into the Ana Verde Valley, sheriff's deputies, driving through neighborhoods off Elizabeth Lake Road and Tierra Subida Road, made announcements on loudspeakers that residents should prepare to evacuate.

The evacuation from houses was never ordered, but more than 40 horses were trucked out of the Lazy T Ranch riding stable three miles farther west.

``They told us that it was a voluntary evacuation, that the fire was not at a dangerous point yet,'' Phyllis Tremblay said. ``Then they asked us how long it would take. We told them two hours, and they told us to go ahead and start.''

Tremblay said she and her son, co-owners of the ranch, loaded about 40 of the ranch's 75 horses into trailers and hauled them away before the fire shifted directions and eased the threat to the ranch.

``The sky above the mountains just behind us was blazing red,'' Tremblay added. ``Naturally you're scared.''

The horses were returned Monday.

In the neighborhoods near Tierra Subida Road, some people packed cars or vans with valuables, and others scoffed at the threat. Sheriff's deputies blocked off Tierra Subida, Avenue S and Elizabeth Road to all but residents.

``I've been watching the flames and the smoke all night,'' said Belle Arizola, 76. ``I'm terrified, but I'm not leaving my house until I have to. I've worked more than 50 years for everything I have, and I won't let it just burn up.''

Ralph Barkans, 64, was irritated by the sheriff's loudspeakers.

``I've lived in the Antelope Valley for nearly 40 years, and I've been through worse. This is nothing. I just wish the Sheriff's Department would shut up with the announcements so I can get some sleep. It's nothing to panic over.''

Fire officials reported no injuries to firefighters or others.

Southern California Edison workers said the fire temporarily halted the transmission of electricity through some high-power lines in the burned area.

The fire started in the home of brothers Don and Douglas Barnett of Acton, whose house was the only one damaged.

Don Barnett said the fire started when his niece was using a washing machine powered by a gasoline-fueled generator.

``I was doing some laundry,'' Martina Schultz said. ``I filled it up with gasoline, and it overflowed.''

The generator caught fire, and the flames spread to the Barnetts' house, old vehicles, three small sheds and items that the two brothers had collected.

Many of the items stored on their 2-1/2 acres were props from movies on which they worked. Douglas Barnett makes camera equipment, and Don Barnett makes electrical equipment.

Fire officials said they are still investigating the cause of the fire and haven't decided if they are going to charge anybody.

Don Barnett said firefighters saved the house, although about one-fourth of it was burned.

``We typically are prepared for this,'' Douglas Barnett said. ``I guess we weren't as prepared as we thought.''

Staff writer Greg Botonis contributed to this story.

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Photo: (color) A helicopter slices through heavy smoke Monday in the Antelope Valley, where a fire spread to the edge of Palmdale tracts.

David R. Crane/Staff Photographer