400-Acre Brush Fire Rages In Calabasas Threatening Homes
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Firefighters Saturday had their hands filled with several brush fires reported around the Southland.
A small 2-acre fire was reported in the West Hills area near Kittridge Street and Valley Circle around 4:20 p.m.
Officials said that fire was burning downhill into a ravine by light winds. Authorities said there were some homes nearby but no evacuations were ordered.
A 400-acre fire was also reported in Calabasas but in this fire, many homes were threatened, authorities said.
Saturday, officials said three homes were damaged but on Sunday said no homes had damage. One camp facility was destroyed.
The fire was reported burning in Calabasas at Mullholland Highway near Old Topanga Canyon Road.
Some mandatory evacuations have been reported in the areas of Eddingham Avenue and Adamsville Avenue and the Calabasas Highlands.
Evacuated residents are asked to go to Agoura High School (28545 W. Driver Ave Agoura Hills, 91301).
It was estimated that about 5,000 residents had to evacuate the area.
The LA County Sheriff's Department is asking residents to take large animals to Pierce College (6201 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills, CA 91371) and small animals to Agoura Animal Care Center (20925 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills, CA 91301).
The evacuation order is supposed to remain in effect until at least 8 a.m. Sunday.
More than 250 firefighters are battling the blaze. There was a report of one firefighter suffering minor injuries.
Offcials believe the fire was sparked by a car accident around 4:20 p.m.
At least four horses were also airlifted to safety.
LA County AirOps said they had three water dropping helicopters working on the fire in Calabasas, now dubbed #OldFire. They have requested additional air personnel.
2 of the helicopters working the #OldFire are Firehawks capable of up to 1000 gallons per drop (????@L2_Digital) pic.twitter.com/0K0ckxmH21
— LACoFireAirOps (@LACoFireAirOps) June 4, 2016
LA City Fire said "we have multiple brush fires in the greater Los Angeles area. LAFD is handling the #ValleyCircle fire which has now spotted and additionally resources are responding. LACountyFire is currently IC for #OldIC fire in the Old Topanga Canyon area. LAFD is an assisting agency and an order for 3 strike teams (15 engines) have been ordered to respond to assist."
Huge fire in my neighborhood. Scary. @CBSLA pic.twitter.com/TM1VnVqkOZ
— Angela Dallman (@angeladallman) June 5, 2016
The LAFD is sending two strike teams to the area to provide "structure protection" as an assisting agency to LA County Fire to battle the "Old Fire"
#Breaking: #LACFD Capt. Moore says homes have been damaged by fire in #Calabasas. Latest in #CBS2 &#KCAL9
— Cristy Fajardo (@fajardonews) June 5, 2016
