A fire has broken out at the border of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, rapidly spreading and threatening numerous hillside homes in the Calabasas and Hidden Hills areas.
The Kenneth Fire ignited nearby a trailhead close to Victory Boulevard around 2:30 p.m. Officials reported that fanned by strong Santa Ana winds, the fire had consumed nearly 800 acres of brush by 5 p.m., burning southward through open space and threatening homes in the Malibu Canyon area north of the 101 Freeway.
Firefighters are on the scene, employing aerial support for water drops to combat the blaze. “The challenging terrain and persistent winds complicate suppression activities, necessitating heightened vigilance from residents and adherence to directives from local authorities,” said incident commanders.
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) has issued a mandatory evacuation for areas extending from Vanowen Street to Burbank Boulevard and from County Lane Road east to Valley Circle Boulevard. Evacuation warnings were also declared for regions between Valley Circle and Woodlake Avenue, as well as the Oak Park area near Kanan Road and Agoura Road, east of Kanan Road to Deer Hill.
Earlier in the day, an erroneous evacuation alert was sent to residents across Los Angeles, from Long Beach to Echo Park. A corrected warning was dispatched shortly after, stating, “Disregard last evacuation warning. It was for the Kenneth Fire only.”
Christina Lazarte, a 22-year-old from Van Nuys, was at the Victory Trailhead with her father, Julio, hoping to capture scenic views with their camera when they spotted the growing flames. “We saw the fire barely starting. It wasn’t much of a spread, but since it was windy, it started to spread more,” Lazarte recounted. “The smell was really horrible.”
She noted that police officials and firefighters soon arrived at the scene, evacuating the area where hikers were still present. “There was a lot of smoke spreading,” she added.
The Kenneth Fire has erupted as firefighters continue to battle several other regional blazes, including the nearly 20,000-acre Palisades fire and the Eaton fire in Altadena, which has charred around 13,700 acres.
How Can Residents Stay Safe?
Local authorities advise residents to prepare for potential evacuation, especially those with pets or those who may require extra time to leave. It’s crucial for residents to keep informed and closely monitor updates from official sources.
Current Status of California Fires
Firefighters were seen making progress against several wildfires in the area, with containment still a significant concern as gusty winds continue. “While we are still facing significant threats, I am hopeful that the tide is turning,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger.
