Car Crash Ignites 500-Acre Calabasas-Area Brush Fire That Forced Thousands From Homes; Some Evacuation Orders Lifted
CALABASAS (CBSLA.com/AP) — Authorities cautiously lifted some evacuation orders but warned serious challenges remained Sunday as crews working in thick brush and jagged terrain protected homes and worked around the clock to stop the progress of a brush fire that torched the populated hills northwest of Los Angeles.
Firefighters took advantage of cooler temperatures and calmer winds as they attacked the eastern and southern edges of the blaze, which broke out Saturday afternoon after a car crash downed power lines.
The blaze was held to 516 acres, Los Angeles County Deputy Fire Chief John Tripp said.
Tripp said it was "our number one priority to get those two flanks contained," adding that the fire was hung up on the mid-slope of steep canyons, making a direct attack difficult. Hot, dry conditions a day earlier led to spot fires that had crews scrambling, Tripp said.
The fire was 75 percent contained Sunday afternoon and Calabasas residents were being allowed back into their homes, many of which were without electricity. Evacuation orders remained in Topanga Canyon.
A smoke advisory was also put into place in the San Fernando Valley and Santa Clarita Valley.
Sheriff's officials said some 3,000 homes were threatened and about 5,000 residents were evacuated at the height of the fire.
Three homes were damaged, but the extent of the damage wasn't clear, Los Angeles County fire Capt. Keith Mora said. A building that was to be used for a summer camp was severely damaged, but the camp's operators said they will nevertheless be open for business this summer.
Fifty-foot-high flames erupted on ridges and embers turned trees into torches Saturday afternoon. The fire flared as Southern California sweltered under temperatures that hit the mid-90s in many places. Sunday's high in Calabasas was expected to be around 86.
Flames raced through drought-dry brush and came within yards of million-dollar homes. The smoke could be seen across the region and a dusting of ash rained down on neighborhoods more than 30 miles away.
Some horse owners in the area put the animals in trailers and hauled them away.
Authorities set up an evacuation center for people with large animals at Pierce College in Woodland Hills.
Fifty-foot-high flames erupted on the ridges and embers turned trees into candles Saturday afternoon. And while the flames eased overnight, firefighters continued Sunday to battle the blaze. Some 3,000 homes were threatened and about 5,000 residents were evacuated, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said.
Evacuation orders in Calabasas were lifted at around 2 a.m. Sunday, although fire officials said some homes in the area are without power. Evacuation orders for Topanga Canyon were still in effect Sunday. Zones 2,3, 5 and 6 were under mandatory evacuation orders. Zones 7 and 4 were under voluntary evacuation orders.
Around 400 firefighters were fighting the blaze Sunday, aided by bulldozers and water-dropping helicopters.
Three firefighters were injured, the LA County Fire Department said. Two of them suffered knee injuries and a third suffered a "cardiac event," the LA County Fire Department said.
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