WHITNEY CANYON BLAZE QUICKLY OUT HIGH WEEKEND WINDS COULD FUEL DAY FIRE IN FOREST.

Byline: PATRICIA FARRELL AIDEM Staff Writer

NEWHALL -- Firefighters made quick work Thursday of a brush fire that broke out at the mouth of Whitney Canyon in Newhall, but the region was under a blanket of smoke all day from the much larger forest fire burning to the north.

Flames charred about 10 acres at the trailhead into the scenic canyon, preserved as state parkland. The fire started about 10:15 a.m. just south of the dead end of San Fernando Road and was out in about an hour, Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Tom Robertson said.

The fire appeared to have been ignited by a malfunction on an electric power pole. There were no injuries or damage, Robertson said.

Meanwhile, the Day Fire in the Los Padres National Forest in eastern Ventura County continued for a 17th day. So far, it has burned more than 106,000 acres -- some 167 square miles -- and was about 35 percent contained, according to a report from the U.S. Forest Service.

Smoke from that fire, which until Thursday had largely skirted the Santa Clarita Valley, covered the sky, prompting a smoke advisory because of heavy particulate matter in the air, said Sam Atwood, a spokesman for the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

The warning continues through today, and urges those with chronic respiratory, heart or lung ailments to avoid going outdoors.

Afternoon high school sports events were canceled, including a Saugus High track meet and freshman and junior varsity football home games, said Pat Willett of the William S. Hart Union High School District.

A decision was pending on evening varsity football games.

More than 2,000 firefighters are fighting the Day Fire, which has threatened the towns of Piru, Fillmore, Santa Paula and Ojai to the south and Lockwood Valley, near Frazier Park, to the northeast.

The National Weather Service issued a warning for the region Thursday, and said conditions could worsen with high winds forecast.

A high-wind watch will be in effect tonight through Saturday evening, with gusts up to 50 mph expected. High temperatures will hover around 90.

Firefighters made progress in recent days with cooler, moist air coming from the coast.

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2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Hand crews head for a brush fire that broke out Thursday morning in Whitney Canyon at the end of San Fernando Road.

(2 -- color) Firefighters from Los Angeles County Station 73 move in on a brush fire that broke out in Whitaker Canyon at the end of San Fernando Road on Thursday morning.

David Crane/Staff Photographer