Over 70,000 acres destroyed, Malibu forced to evacuate
By Sam Catanzaro
There have been two deaths attributed to the Woolsey Fire, burning throughout Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
According to Los Angeles County sheriff’s Chief John Benedict, two people have been found dead in the fire zone of the Woolsey Fire, which at the time of publishing has burned over 70,000 acres, destroyed over 3,500 structures and is currently at zero percent containment.
“Due to extreme fire behavior, firefighting efforts have been focused, and will remain focused, on the protection of life, and structures,” reported CAL FIRE in a situation update Saturday morning. “Crews will continue to battle steep terrain, limited access, and extreme fire behavior.”
CAL FIRE, along with Ventura County Fire Department, Los Angeles County Fire Department and City of Los Angeles Fire Department have been fighting the fire since Thursday morning. Numerous air tankers from throughout California are flying fire suppression missions as conditions allow.
Sheriffs and police from Ventura and Los Angeles city and county are assisting in the effort, controlling traffic, making sure people within the evacuation zone are out of their homes and preventing looters.
Communities under mandatory evacuation orders include Malibu, Bell Canyon, Oak Park and Thousand Oaks.
There have been no fire warnings in Brentwood but after the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) issued a smoke advisory warning, people are being urged to limit exposure, remain indoors with windows and doors closed and avoid vigorous physical activity. In addition, people with heart or lung disease, including asthma, the elderly and children are urged by the LACDPH to take extra precaution in these conditions.
All Santa Monica on and off-ramps to the 10 Freeway are now open again and south and northbound traffic on the 10 resumes. The Pacific Coast Highway is open until Sunset Blvd. Where there is a hard closure.
The closest shelter to Brentwood is at Palisades High School (15777 Bowdoin Street, LA 90272). In addition, Airbnb announced that the company has activated their host community to open their homes for $0 for those evacuating the Woolsey fire.
A red flag warning will be in place Saturday night throughout Sunday afternoon as dry, offshore Santa Ana winds are expected to pick back up again.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Follow the LAFD on Twitter @LAFD for the most up to date information. For the latest information on road closures and fires, please monitor https://www.chp.ca.gov/home/california-wild-fire-resources.
