LA FIRE UPDATE - UPDATE 4

Firefighters are racing to contain a new wildfire that has erupted close to homes in the area of Calabasas and Hidden Hills, northwest of Los Angeles, on Thursday afternoon.

The Kenneth Fire was first reported around 2:30 p.m. in an area of dry brush in the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve, north of the 101 Freeway.

The fire was estimated to be 50 acres at 3:45 p.m. and exploded to 791 acres as of 4:45 p.m., fanned by gusty Santa Ana winds. Homes were imminently threatened.

I was on the phone with my friend Jodi Rowe (a member of the TAFM community) at 3:30 when her phone alarm went off. She lives in Hidden Hills and got the order to evacuate. Fortunately she’d been expecting it, so was packed and had the dogs crated.

The Los Angeles Fire Department has issued a mandatory evacuation order for neighborhoods north of the 101 Freeway from Colony Road to the west, Orrville Avenue to the east, and north to Burbank Road. “The challenging terrain and persistent winds complicate suppression activities, necessitating heightened vigilance from residents and adherence to directives from local authorities.”

UPDATE 1

This fire picked up when the wind picked up and changed direction from southwest to west, which drives the fire uphill. The Canadian waterbombers are responding to the area now.

The Palisades fire, which has now burned 20,000 acres and is still zero contained, is now declared the third worst fire in California history. The Altadena fire has burned 17,000 acres now, a 70% increase since last night. Also zero containment. Losses overall in Los Angeles are now at $50 billion.

UPDATE 2

This photo was taken at 5pm from the roof of my neighbor across the street. This is smoke from the Palisades Fire, which spread today into Mandeville Canyon, 5 miles south of us.

LAFD Chief says the Kenneth Fire is spreading fast to Ventura County and has now burned 1,000 acres. This fire is about 8 miles west of me - no threat since I am east, but it’s very close. This fire could connect to the Malibu end of the Palisades Fire if the wind diverts back to the southwest.

UPDATE 3

it’s just been reported there is an arson investigation regarding the outbreak of the Kenneth Fire.

UPDATE 4

the massive air attack made on the Kenneth fire has stopped its progress and contained it.