Woolsey fire roars into San Fernando Valley

by 24USATVNov. 10, 2018, 8:45 p.m. 371
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UPDATE: As the wind-fueled Woolsey fire stormed into the San Fernando Valley early Saturday, fire crews braced for a challenging day on multiple fire fronts in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Officials were expected to hold a news conference Saturday morning. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump lashed out amid the devastating firestorm, threatening to withhold federal payments to California, branding its forest management “so poor.”

Los Angeles County coroner’s office officials late Friday night reported that two bodies had been discovered in the fire’s footprint in the Malibu area. But it wasn’t immediately clear if the deaths were connected to the blaze.

Firefighters were bolstered by forecasts that winds would ease today, but worried that the same predictors said warm Santa Anas would be return Sunday, with no letup seen until Tuesday.

The fire had burned through 35,000 acres by this morning, engulfing scores of homes and other structures as weary fire crews scrambled to contain the damage and authorities urged tens of thousands of residents to flee the encroaching threat.

The blaze, which broke out near the former Rocketdyne site south of Simi Valley on Thursday, has burned out of control for two days, with zero containment, and prompted wave after wave of evacuations from portions of Agoura Hills, Westlake Village and Calabasas to the city of Malibu.

The president posted early today via Twiitter that “there is no reason for these massive, deadly and costly fires in California.” Trump said “billions of dollars are given each year, with so many lives lost, all because of gross mismanagement of the forests. Remedy now, or no more Fed payments!”

The comments were Trump’s first about massive wildfires burning in Southern and Northern California. He earlier issued an emergency declaration providing federal funds to help firefighters.

Broadcast reports showed flames engulfing hillsides, several homes and other structures as the fire marched toward the sea. Among the roads and highways snarled by traffic from evacuees was Pacific Coast Highway, which saw a slew of residents from Malibu head south toward safety.

At least 150 homes in Southern California were torched by the fire, the Associated Press reported, among them mansions of the rich and famous in seaside Malibu.

MORE: This map shows where the Woolsey and Hill fires are burning

By Friday evening, the flames had pushed into the San Fernando Valley, threatening the West Hills neighborhood, with evacuation orders put into place in West Hills, west of Valley Circle, from Roscoe Boulevard to Vanowen Street.

While the erratic winds began to subside as the day wore on, weather forecasters expected them to continue a few more days and even pick up in intensity. Another wind event is expected in the coming days, LA County Fire Chief Daryl Osby said during an afternoon news conference in Thousand Oaks.

Once there is a lull in the winds, “then we can start getting a good anchor and foothold and attack this fire,” said Ventura County Fire Capt. Brian McGrath.

The number of people under evacuation orders was staggering: an estimated 250,000 people.

Among those fleeing the fire were a number of celebrities, including  Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian West, Scott Baio, Rainn Wilson and Guillermo del Toro. Some, like del Toro and Caitlyn Jenner, did not know the fate of their homes, but the wind-driven wildfire has destroyed the home of “Dr. Strange” director Scott Derrickson and the historic Paramount Ranch where shows like HBO’s “Westworld” and “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman” were filmed, according to the AP.

The raging fire also sent plumes of billowing smoke high up into the sun-drenched skyline.

About 78,000 people were evacuated from Ventura County alone from more than 21,000 homes and businesses, according to Ventura County sheriff’s officials.

“We notified everyone in Thousand Oaks from the Los Angeles County Line to Highway 23 south along Highway 101, Lake Sherwood, and all of the canyon areas to the beach,” said Sgt. Eric Buschow with the Ventura County Sherrif’s Office.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials told residents to evacuate from Hidden Hills, Malibu, Malibu Canyon area east to Topanga Canyon Road — including all areas south or west through the Ventura County Coast.

Residents in unincorporated Monte Nido and Topanga Canyon were also asked to evacuate north toward the Chatsworth or San Fernando area.

By mid-afternoon Friday, the California Highway Patrol had converted all four lanes of the Pacific Coast Highway to one-way, southbound traffic from Malibu Canyon Road to the 10 Freeway in Santa Monica for those fleeing the fire in the Malibu area, officials said.

Some evacuees were seen at Zuma Beach with gas masks watching the Woolsey Fire burn. Several llamas evacuated from the fire were tied to a lifeguard tower at the beach.

Those evacuating were asked to bring their identification, their medicine and any important documents, such as birth and marriage certificates, along with supplies, a change of clothes and toiletries.

Evacuated residents in need of shelter were asked to go to Pierce College in Woodland Hills or Palisades Charter High School in Pacific Palisades, officials said. Taft High School in Woodland Hills was “currently full.”

Meanwhile, Ventura County Fire Department ordered a mandatory evacuation Friday for all residents and businesses along Wood Ranch Parkway, east to First Street and Long Canyon Road to Valley Gate Road.

Residents of other areas were asked to stay out of that zone to avoid hampering the evacuations there.

Fire officials grappled to get some kind of containment amid high winds.

Another fire, the Hill fire, which started in Ventura County, had burned about 6,100 acres as of Friday morning and resulted in more than 17,000 people were ordered to leave.

The Woolsey Fire jumped the 101 Freeway near Chesebro Road in Agoura Hills early Friday and was burning on the south side of the freeway in an area that had been evacuated hours earlier.

As a result, the 101 Freeway was closed in both directions from Valley Circle Boulevard in the Hidden Hills area to Lindero Canyon Road in the Westlake Village area, California Highway Patrol officials said.

MAP: Where the Hill fire and Woolsey fire are burning

IF YOU HAVE TO EVACUATE: What to bring and how to prepare in advance

The fire forced Portrero Road between Rancho Dos Vientos and South Lewis Road to be closed in Ventura County, according to CHP officials. Camarillo Springs Road onramps and offramps on the 101 Freeway were also closed as of Friday afternoon.

The southbound 101 Freeway between Wendy Drive and Lewis Road re-opened Friday morning, said Rebekah Wyatt, a CHP dispatcher.

The fire broke out about 2:25 p.m. Thursday, pushed by strong Santa Ana winds which prevented aerial assaults in the early morning hours. Some flights began at 5:30 a.m. as the wind died down. It was expected to pick up during the night.

Heavy smoke and strong winds hampered visibility for crews on the fire lines and residents trying to evacuate.

Chief John Benedict of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said evacuations were ongoing.

“This thing moves fast and you need to be prepared,” Benedict said. Residents need to leave if told to evacuate.

The fire prompted the closure of all schools in the Las Virgines Unified School District in Calabasas, as well as Viewpoint School, Montessori of Calabasas, Montessori of Calabasas Too and Muse School, the city of Calabasas announced Friday morning. Pierce College campus was also not having classes.

Health officials also warned residents in smoky areas to stay indoors and limit outdoor activity.

A second evacuation center for animals was opened Friday morning at Hansen Dam, 11770 Foothill Blvd. in Lake View Terrace, after the evacuation center at Pierce College in Woodland Hills reached capacity.

The Los Angeles Police Department was placed on a citywide tactical alert about 12:45 a.m. to ensure all resources are available to assist with evacuation orders and road closures prompted by the Woolsey Fire, according to a statement from the department.

“If you’re in an affected area and have been ordered to evacuate, evacuate,” the statement said.

Staff Writers Ruby Gonzales, Christopher Yee, Kevin Modesti, Eric Licas, Jonah Valdez, Robert Gundran, Steve Scauzillo, and City News Service contributed to this report.

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