Dramatic video footage shows hundreds of people fleeing Six Flags Magic Mountain due to wildfires

A fast-moving brush fire erupted near a huge amusement and water park in Southern California on Sunday, sending hundreds of visitors to the exit to escape clouds of smoke and ash before fire officials asked them to stay put while they worked to contain the blaze.

Six Flags Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor announced the evacuation shortly after noon, citing concern for the safety of park visitors and employees. 

About a half-hour later, the park said on its Twitter account that fire officials asked guests to shelter in place due to nearby road closures.

The image above shows smoke from a brush fire that ignited near Six Flags Magic Mountain in Southern California on Sunday

A helicopter flown by Los Angeles County Fire drops water on the brush fire as one of the amusement park's rides is seen in the background

A helicopter flown by Los Angeles County Fire drops water on the brush fire as one of the amusement park’s rides is seen in the background

A CalFire aircraft drops fire retardant on a hillside in an attempt to box in flames from a wildfire in nearby Rumsey, California on Sunday

A CalFire aircraft drops fire retardant on a hillside in an attempt to box in flames from a wildfire in nearby Rumsey, California on Sunday

Visitors to the park reported plumes of smoke and ash in the air, setting off a panic. As of Sunday evening, the fire was only partially contained

Visitors to the park reported plumes of smoke and ash in the air, setting off a panic. As of Sunday evening, the fire was only partially contained

The brush fire is seen above as it burns dangerously close to the highway near Six Flags Magic Mountain on Sunday

The brush fire is seen above as it burns dangerously close to the highway near Six Flags Magic Mountain on Sunday

The brush fire is seen above as it burns dangerously close to the highway near Six Flags Magic Mountain on Sunday

The fast-moving brush fire forced road closures, which hindered the evacuation of the amusement park

The fast-moving brush fire forced road closures, which hindered the evacuation of the amusement park

The fast-moving brush fire forced road closures, which hindered the evacuation of the amusement park

Park visitors were asked to move to the back of the 260-acre property, away from firefighting activity near the entrance, said Rachel Gallat, who was visiting a friend who works at the park.

‘I was getting iced coffee and when I walked outside, ash was raining down on me,’ Gallat said. 

‘There was a big cloud of smoke. I saw people around me panicking; they didn’t know where they were supposed to go.’

A Los Angeles County Fire Department dispatcher told the Los Angeles Times the park voluntarily evacuated visitors.

Los Angeles County firemen are seen above fighting a brush fire near Six Flags Magic Mountain in Santa Clarita, California

Los Angeles County firemen are seen above fighting a brush fire near Six Flags Magic Mountain in Santa Clarita, California

Initially, the fire forced the closure of nearby roads, prompting the amusement park to urge guests to shelter in place

Initially, the fire forced the closure of nearby roads, prompting the amusement park to urge guests to shelter in place

But after some of the nearby roads were reopened, the parks evacuated visitors and closed for the day

But after some of the nearby roads were reopened, the parks evacuated visitors and closed for the day

A still image taken from a video obtained on social media shows smoke from a fire alongside the Six Flags Magic Mountain theme park

A still image taken from a video obtained on social media shows smoke from a fire alongside the Six Flags Magic Mountain theme park

Magic Mountain is located about 40 miles north of Los Angeles; its twisting roller coasters are a familiar sight to motorists on Interstate 5. People are seen evacuating the park on Sunday

Magic Mountain is located about 40 miles north of Los Angeles; its twisting roller coasters are a familiar sight to motorists on Interstate 5. People are seen evacuating the park on Sunday

In this photo provided by Arthur Wilkie, people evacuate Six Flags Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor

In this photo provided by Arthur Wilkie, people evacuate Six Flags Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor

'I was getting iced coffee and when I walked outside, ash was raining down on me,' park visitor Rachel Gallat said. Gallat took the photo seen above of the Cafe Plaza when the brush fire erupted close to the park

‘I was getting iced coffee and when I walked outside, ash was raining down on me,’ park visitor Rachel Gallat said. Gallat took the photo seen above of the Cafe Plaza when the brush fire erupted close to the park

The National Weather Service said temperatures reached 96 degrees at Magic Mountain, with humidity dipping to 10% and winds gusting to 25 mph

The National Weather Service said temperatures reached 96 degrees at Magic Mountain, with humidity dipping to 10% and winds gusting to 25 mph

Firefighters battled the 40-acre blaze in hot, dry and windy conditions during the first day of a heat wave baking the region in nearly 100-degree heat

Firefighters battled the 40-acre blaze in hot, dry and windy conditions during the first day of a heat wave baking the region in nearly 100-degree heat

City officials said that no structures were threatened by the brush fire on Sunday. The image above shows visitors heading toward their cars

City officials said that no structures were threatened by the brush fire on Sunday. The image above shows visitors heading toward their cars

Six Flags Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor announced the evacuation shortly after noon, citing concern for the safety of park visitors and employees

Six Flags Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor announced the evacuation shortly after noon, citing concern for the safety of park visitors and employees

About a half-hour later, the park said on its Twitter account that fire officials asked guests to shelter in place due to nearby road closures

About a half-hour later, the park said on its Twitter account that fire officials asked guests to shelter in place due to nearby road closures

This photo provided by Ryan Reede shows smoke from a fast-moving brush fire that Reede took as he was riding on a roller coaster

This photo provided by Ryan Reede shows smoke from a fast-moving brush fire that Reede took as he was riding on a roller coaster

Santa Clarita City asked the public to avoid the area at Old Road near Magic Mountain

Santa Clarita City asked the public to avoid the area at Old Road near Magic Mountain

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Department reported that the fire had burned at least 30 acres, though the brush fire's forward progress had been stopped

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Department reported that the fire had burned at least 30 acres, though the brush fire’s forward progress had been stopped

‘We did not tell them to do this,’ Melanie Flores said.

Los Angeles County fire officials said nine people were taken to the hospital due to smoke exposure. 

The blaze is 20% contained.

Shalane Gonzales, 34, said she saw people running out of the park in bathing suits.

‘It was pretty scary. We saw trucks packing people,’ Gonzales said. 

‘They were just telling people to load up on their truck beds.’ 

She said when she tried to drive to the entrance to pick up her partner and their two young sons, police told her to return to the parking lot.

‘The fire was feet away from where we were,’ she said.

The park later announced it was closed for the day after police reopened the roads, allowing everyone to leave in their cars.

Magic Mountain is located about 40 miles north of Los Angeles; its twisting roller coasters are a familiar sight to motorists on Interstate 5.

Firefighters battled the 40-acre blaze in hot, dry and windy conditions during the first day of a heat wave baking the region in nearly 100-degree heat.

The National Weather Service said temperatures reached 96 degrees at Magic Mountain, with humidity dipping to 10% and winds gusting to 25 mph.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. 

Santa Clarita City asked the public to avoid the area at Old Road near Magic Mountain.

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Department reported that the fire had burned at least 30 acres, though the brush fire’s forward progress had been stopped. 

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