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Crews stop aggressive blaze near Calabasas
Evacuations, no injuries in fire
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More from Breaking NewsA quick-moving fire Tuesday afternoon burned an estimated 120 acres of steep terrain between Agoura Hills and Calabasas, leading to the temporary evacuation of some 60 homes.
No one was injured in the fire, which was reported at 12:07 p.m. along the north end of Malibu Creek State Park, near Las Virgenes and Lost Hills roads. It was fully contained by 4:30 p.m., authorities said.
The fire came within a dozen yards of some homes but caused no major damage.
Investigators could not say how the fire started, but it appeared to be suspicious in origin, said Maria Grycan, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Arson investigators with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department are looking into it, Grycan said. Sheriff’s Department officials said that all evacuations had been lifted by Tuesday evening.
Unlike a fire fanned by Santa Ana winds that burns east to west, Tuesday’s blaze went in the opposite direction, said Paul Hartwell, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
“We were fortunate not to have any injuries or property loss,” said Hartwell as he stood at a mobile command center near Las Virgenes and Lost Hills roads.
Firefighters from across the region battled the blaze, including personnel from Ventura and Orange counties. In addition to the 250 firefighters on the ground, five helicopters battled the fire, Hartwell said.
John Staser, a 20-year-old Pepperdine University student who lives in the 26800 block of Cold Springs Street, said he never really thought the fire would reach his home.
“I felt pretty safe, although I kept an eye on it,” Staser said as he stood in front of his home Tuesday.
Traffic slowed to a crawl along southbound Highway 101 as motorists looked at the fire. Dozens of firetrucks, many with their sirens blaring and lights flashing, raced across highway overpasses to reach the fire.
Jane Moon, a project manager for Amgen, a biotechnology firm in Thousand Oaks, rushed home after being notified of the fire while at work.
“I was worried,” said a somewhat relieved Moon as she stood in front of her home in the 4100 block of Lost Springs Drive.
Timothy Finn, a real estate agent who has lived in the area for some 20 years, took the fire in stride.
“Fire is a part of this area,” Finn said, waiting for some clients to arrive.
Finn said a few clients worry about potential fires, given the neighborhood’s proximity to often dry, open grasslands. But he never worries that much, partly because firefighters are so efficient, he said.
“They’re very good at what they do,” Finn said.
One silver lining to Tuesday’s fire is that it eliminated dry grass around the homes there, creating a buffer, Hartwell said. “It decreases the fire threat when the Santa Anas come.”
Posted by dom_kenpo on August 26, 2008 at 1:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I bet it was started by a red head.
Posted by kjohnson on August 26, 2008 at 1:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You can watch it live
Posted by opns on August 26, 2008 at 1:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Are we sure the Star this story correct yet? Gets me in a mess when commenting. Anyway - i pray for safety for all.
Posted by dom_kenpo on August 26, 2008 at 2:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
101 freeway is closed now, too. Damned redheads starting fires.
Posted by BeaHappi on August 26, 2008 at 3:22 p.m.
(This thread was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by Hi_Def_Ultra_Realism on August 26, 2008 at 3:38 p.m.
(This thread was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by Hi_Def_Ultra_Realism on August 26, 2008 at 4:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well Mafia, when there's a fire in your backyard I'll be sure and waive the two-drink minimum, okay?
Go flex your OMG11!!LULZ Internetz muscles elsewhere.
My comment was not directed just at you---there are plenty of absurd stories and stupid criminal stories to go poke fun of on here. I quite enjoy many of the musings of the peanut gallery here---but I'm sorry, but people being evacuated from their houses isn't one of those stories.
You can do better--I've seen it.
Posted by Hi_Def_Ultra_Realism on August 26, 2008 at 4:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Apparently, I wasn't the only one who found making jokes about a rapidly growing fire offensive. Glad to hear that the situation seems to be under control.
Posted by BeaHappi on August 26, 2008 at 4:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hi_Def...I wasn't in any way making fun of a rapidly growing fire. I found Junior's comment to be funny, that's all.
Wow...
Posted by keepin_it_real on August 26, 2008 at 9:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I like participating in these posts much better on the weekends. There are much better discussions going on. Sorry...
On another note, I thought I heard on the news that they are investigating arson. If so, this is very sad.
Good job getting this fire under control so quickly. Gotta love those firefighters. :) Thank you for all you do.
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