PAST FIRE ALERTS

Latest Update 2:00 p.m. 10/14/05
 

 A Message from the Mayor

The 24,175 acre Topanga Fire brought the windblown forces of Mother Nature to the literal doorstep of Calabasas, as well as the nearby communities of Chatsworth, Simi Valley, Oak Park, Hidden Hills, Agoura, Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village.  The scope of the fire was surpassed only by the fact that no lives were lost and only three single family homes were lost.  The incredible professionalism, dedication, bravery, and skill of the 3,000 firefighters and public safety personnel who worked tirelessly to battle the fire and save our communities deserve our highest respect and heartfelt thanks. 

The City of Calabasas extends deep gratitude to the unified command of the Los Angeles and Ventura County Fire departments, the Los Angeles and Ventura County Sheriff departments, the Los Angeles City Fire Department, firefighters from throughout California who came to our area, the Los Angeles Police Department, the California Highway Patrol, the California Department of Transportation, the California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection, the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, the Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority, Conejo Open Space Conservation Authority, the Rancho Simi Park District, United States Forest Service, California Edison, and Southern California Gas Company.  We also would like to extend our thanks to our neighboring communities also threatened by the fire for their teamwork and professionalism in coordinating public response to the fire.  Finally, the City thanks our residents who offered their complete cooperation to authorities to help facilitate the response that ultimately beat this dangerous fire.


Barry Groveman, Mayor
City of Calabasas

Photos from Sept. 28 - 30

Live Streaming of CTV

Video Recap of September 29, 2005
Fire Events in Calabasas

Video of September 30, 2005
Governor's Press Conference
Technical Help/System Requirements for CTV Live Stream and Archive

EVACUATION INFORMATION
None at this time

• HOW YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED IF YOU NEED TO EVACUATE

• EVACUATION SHELTERS

• ITEMS TO TAKE FROM HOME IF EVACUATED

• Information About Evacuation Procedures (.pdf)
  (Courtesy of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention)

• Information on Animal Evacuations

UPDATES:

10/14/05 (2:00p.m.)
The National Park Service has announced that previously closed portions of the Simi Hills are now open with restricted access.  Cheeseboro, Palo Comado, Liberty and Upper Las Virgenes Canyons are all open and officials expect the restricted access to last for at least a year. 

During this period, the public must stay on established roads and trails and observe all posted closure signs.  Access to the parkland will be permitted from sunrise to sunset and, as always, motorized vehicles will not be allowed.

10/05/05 (8:00 a.m.)
The Los Angeles County Fire Department is reporting that there is full containment on the Topanga Fire.

10/04/05 (9:30 p.m.)
As of 6:00 p.m. the Los Angeles County Fire Department is reporting that there is full containment on the Topanga Fire.

10/04/05 (8:00 a.m.)
As of 8:00 a.m., the Topanga Fire remains 95% contained with full containment expected by 6:00 p.m. this evening.  Due to weather conditions, a red flag warning will remain in effect through 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday.  Fire crews will remain staged in the area in case of any change in fire conditions. 

Topanga Fire Statistics as of 7:00 a.m. on 10/4/05:

• 24,175 acres burned
• 95% containment (full containment expected by 6pm Tues. evening)
• 1,341 firefighting personnel assigned
• 3 single family dwellings destroyed and 1 residence damaged
• 3 commercial buildings destroyed and 2 damaged
• 7 out buildings, 4 RVs, 1 travel trailer, 34 passenger vehicles and 1 motorcycle destroyed
• 27 injuries
• All evacuations have been lifted
• Evacuation shelters have been closed
• All roads are open and have unrestricted access
• Total fire suppression cost to date:  $12,500,000

10/03/05 (8:00 p.m.)
As of 6:45 p.m. the Los Angeles County Fire Department is reporting that the Topanga Fire is 95% contained.  Full containment is expected by 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday.  Due to weather conditions, a red flag warning will remain in effect through 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday.  Fire crews will remain staged in the area in case of any change in fire conditions.

10/03/05 (8:00 a.m.)
Fire crews now have the fire at 85% containment and expect full containment by 6:00 p.m. this evening.  The fire is pretty much out at this point and fire crews are using infrared technology to find any hot spots or burning embers to put those out. There are just under 1,600 fire personnel working on the fire.  Weather conditions are currently at 80% humidity but that is expected to drop to 20% by this evening.  Due to an expected rise in the Santa Ana winds by tomorrow, fire personnel will not be sent home.  They will be staged at the Incident Command Center in Thousand Oaks at least through Wednesday.

Topanga Fire Statistics as of 6:00 a.m. on 10/3/05:

• 24,175 acres burned
• 85% containment (full containment expected by 6pm this evening)
• 1,594 firefighting personnel assigned
• 3 single family dwellings destroyed and 1 residence damaged
• 3 commercial buildings destroyed and 2 damaged
• 7 out buildings, 4 RVs, 1 travel trailer, 34 passenger vehicles and 1 motorcycle destroyed
• 13 firefighter injuries total
• All evacuations have been lifted
• Evacuation shelters have been closed
• All roads are open and have unrestricted access
• Total fire suppression cost to date:  $9,313,357

10/02/05 (6:30 p.m.)
Las Virgenes School District, Oak Park School District and area schools will be open for classes and activities as usual on Monday, October 3, 2005

10/02/05 (10:00 a.m.)
There are no evacuations in place at this time and all residents may return to their homes.  All evacuations shelters have closed down. Fire crews now have 65% containment of the fire.  24,175 acres have burned.  1,653 safety personnel are fighting the fire.  The cause is under investigation.  Property losses are reported as 3 residences destroyed, 1 damaged, 3 commercial properties destroyed, 2 damaged, 7 outbuildings destroyed.  4 RVs, 34 passenger vehicles and 1 motorcycle were destroyed or damaged.  7 firefighters were injured in the blaze.  Total known damage costs from the fire to date are just over $8 million.

10/01/05 (11:00 p.m.)
Fire crews now have 60% containment. Property losses are reported as 3 residences destroyed, 1 damaged, 3 commercial properties destroyed, 2 damaged, and 7 outbuildings destroyed.

10/01/05 (1:30 p.m.)
40% contained, full containment estimated October 3 at 6 p.m.  Costs to date: $5.4 million  

10/01/05 (10:00 a.m.)
All restrictions on access to communities affected by evacuations have been lifted. All evacuations shelters will be closed today at 5:00pm. A number of fire crews have been demobilized as containment levels continue to increase.

10/01/05 (7:00 a.m.)
Approx. 24,000 acres have been burned with 40% containment. Over 2,000 Fire Personnel are on the scene with 3 strike teams assigned to the Calabasas area. Hotspots are still located in Bell Canyon/Chatsworth Reservoir Areas as well as in Palo Comado Canyon.  All previous evacuation locations are open, although identification may be required. 

9/30/05 (9:30 p.m.)
Fire is currently 40% contained.  23,000 acres have burned.  No Evacuation orders/warnings at this time. 2,790 Fire Personnel are on the scene.  Some firefighters have been remobilized to the Burbank Fire.  All previous evacuation locations are open to residents only with an exception of Oak Park which is open to everyone.  Birmingham High School and Canoga Park High School evacuation shelters are still open at this time.

9/30/05 (7:00 p.m.)
A request has been issued from the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District that all residents conserve water usage in order to facilitate fire fighting efforts.

9/30/05 (5:00 p.m.)
No evacuation orders are in place at this time.  20,655 acres have burned.  1 single family dwelling, 2 attached garages, 1 storage shed and two outbuildings burned.  There were three injuries to firefighters.  Birmingham High School and Canoga Park High School evacuation shelters are still open at this time.

9/30/05 (11:15 a.m.)
All evacuations have been cancelled at this time.  Residents are permitted to return to their homes and may be asked to show a driver's license or utility bill to gain entry.

9/30/05 (9:45 a.m.)
All evacuations have been cancelled EXCEPT Lake Manor in  Chatsworth. Please note that the Las Virgenes Sheriff's Department has announced that residents MUST show a valid driver's license or utility bill to pass any checkpoints that may be in place at entrances to previously evacuated areas.

9/30/05 (7:35 a.m.)
Calmont School, located at the top of Old Topanga Canyon Road between Mulholland Hwy and Topanga Canyon Blvd, will be closed on Friday, September 30, 2005.

9/30/05 (7:05 a.m.)
Chaminade College Prep in Chatsworth and Chaminade High School in West Hills will be closed on September 30, 2005.

9/30/05 (6:40 a.m.)
Please note that Las Virgenes Road remains closed to most cars NORTH of the 101.
Residents with ID MAY drive on Las Virgenes Road North of the 101 but to access homes ONLY South of Thousand Oaks Blvd.

9/30/05 (6:00 a.m.)
The fire has burned 20,600 acres and is 20% contained.

9/30/05 (5:30 a.m.)
Many evacuation notices, both mandatory and voluntary, were cancelled after midnight.  Additional updates, including any further evacuation information, will be available soon.

9/30/05 (4:10 a.m.)
Las Virgenes Road remains closed to cars and non-residents NORTH of the 101 Freeway.

9/29/05 (10:54 p.m.)
Canoga Park High School Shelter will remain open for current evacuees only. Due to the power outage at the shelter new evacuees are recommended to go to the Birmingham High School Shelter: 17000 Haynes Street, Van Nuys

9/29/05 (10:31 p.m.)
Oak Park is now open to residents with valid ID.

9/29/05 (10:21 p.m.)
Woolsey Canyon, Bell Canyon, and Box Canyon have all been reopened to residents with valid ID.

9/29/05 (9:48 p.m.)
Canoga High School has no power and is closed.  ALL Canoga High School evacuees are now being relocated to Birmingham High School.

9/29/05 (9:24 p.m.)
The northbound Las Virgenes exit from the 101 Freeway  has been reopened to residents with valid ID.  Las Virgenes road north of the freeway has also been reopened and residents with valid ID may return to their homes in the Malibu Canyon area.  Residents with valid ID living in the Parkmor area of Malibu Canyon may return to their homes.

9/29/05 (8:48 p.m.)
The northbound Las Virgenes exit from the 101 Freeway  is closed.  Las Virgenes road north of the freeway is also closed.

9/29/05 (8:34 p.m.)
Evacuations for residents of Hidden Hills WEST of Round Meadow and residents of Hidden Hills EAST of Round Meadow have been CANCELED.

9/29/05 (8:12 p.m.)
Mandatory evacuations have been issued for the entire area of Mountain View Estates.

9/29/05 (8:03 p.m.)
Pierce College is no longer accepting horses and large animals, only cats and dogs and small pets.  Hansen Dam and the Burbank Equestrian Center are accepting Horse and Large Animal Evacuations.

9/29/05 (7:17 p.m.)
Both the Las Virgenes School District (818.880.4000) and also Viewpoint School (800.349.0892) will again be closed on Friday, September 30, 2005

9/29/05 (6:46 p.m.)
Reopening everything WEST of Kana Road, Reyes Adobe, Lindero, off of 101 freeway in Agoura Hills. Must have valid ID.

9/29/05 (6:00 p.m.)
Mandatory evacuations have been issued for residents of Hidden Hills WEST of Round Meadow.  Residents of Hidden Hills EAST of Round Meadow are under a voluntary evacuation.

9/29/05 (5:20 p.m.)
The Las Virgenes Water District requests that residents conserve water so it can be used for fire fighting.

9/29/05 (5:15 p.m.)
The controlled burn near Mont Calabasas has grown and is currently being treated by firefighters.  ALL residents in the Mont Calabasas neighborhood should evacuate as soon as possible.

9/29/05 (5:15 p.m.)
Las Virgenes Schools will be closed on Friday, September 30, 2005. 

9/29/05 (4:45 p.m.)
Mayor Barry Groveman will present a LIVE update on CTV at 5:00p.m.  CTV can be viewed live on the internet through out CTV webstream and on Channel 3 in Calabasas on Adelphia and Charter cable systems.

9/29/05 (3:45 p.m.)
The Fire Department has set a controlled back fire (an intentional fire) near the Mont Calabasas neighborhood in Calabasas as a fire control method.   A back fire clears overgrown brush that could be used as fuel by the main fire.

9/29/05 (2:45 p.m.)
Winds have shifted, coming from the southwest, forcing the fire back north.

Most of the brush is already burned and new fires are being attended to.

Fire Department plotting evacuation plans for Simi Valley.

9/29/05 (2:10 p.m.)
The 101 Freeway remains open at this time. 

The Fire Command Center is relocating to Conejo Creek Park off of Route 23 near Janss Road in Thousand Oaks.

Please note that voluntary evacuations have NOT been issued for any area SOUTH of the 101 including Liberty Canyon Road,  Cornell Road and Malibou Lake.

9/29/05 (11:30 a.m.)
Currently there is 5% containment on the fire.  There are a total of 3,000 uniformed personnel working to contain the flames.  The cause of the fire remains unknown and is under investigation. 

Road Closures:  NB Kanan Road north of the 101, Agoura Road at Liberty Canyon is down to 1 lane, Malibu Hills Road is down to one lane, Box Canyon Road is closed and Lake Canyon Drive is closed.

9/29/05 (11:00 a.m.)
16,975 acres have burned so far. 

There will be a press conference at the Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center at 11:30 a.m. to update the situation.  Local news stations are expected to cover the news conference live.

9/29/05 (9:45 a.m.)
Voluntary evacuations have been issued for all of Liberty Canyon Road,  Cornell Road and Malibou Lake.

9/29/05 (6:30 a.m.)
Viewpoint School Hotline Number - 800.394.0892
Viewpoint School will be closed on Thursday, September 29

9/29/05  (5:00 a.m.)
The 118 Freeway is now open in both directions.

7,000 acres have burned so far.

The following schools will be closed on Thursday, September 29.  Schools will be open on Friday, September 30 pending further notice.

9/29/05 (4:30 a.m.)
All Las Virgenes Unified School District Schools will be shut down today, Thursday, September 29, 2005.  Schools will reopen Friday, September 30, 2005.

MANDATORY evacuations have now been issued by the Fire Department for the following new areas:
Malibu Canyon North of Thousand Oaks Boulevard - Calabasas
Mountain View Estates
Mont Calabasas
East of Kanan Blvd, North of the 101 Freeway - Agoura Hills
There are warnings in effect and voluntary evacuations for the following new area
Malibu Canyon area north of the 101 Freeway but south of Thousand Oaks Boulevard - Calabasas
See list above for full evacuations.

9/29/05 (2:00 a.m.)
MANDATORY evacuations have now been issued by the Fire Department for the Kanan area of Agoura Hills north of the 101 Freeway.  There are warnings in effect and voluntary evacuations for the Reyes Adobe and Lindero Canyon areas of Agoura Hills and Westlake Village north of the 101 Freeway.

9/29/05 (1:30 a.m.)
The fire is currently traveling in a southwest direction.  The Fire Department has ordered a MANDATORY evacuation of the Old Agoura/Chesebro area of Agoura Hills north of the 101 Freeway.  VOLUNTARY evacuations are in effect in the Malibu Canyon area of Calabasas north of the 101 Freeway as well as the City of Hidden Hills, the Kanan area of Agoura Hills north of the 101 Freeway and Mountain View Estates.  An evacuation shelter has been set up at Canoga Park High School in Canoga Park at 6850 Topanga Canyon Boulevard. CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS

Information on Animal Evacuations

9/28/05 (11:30 p.m.)
The fire is still burning both north and south of the 118 Freeway with the bulk of the fire south of the freeway.  Winds have been unpredictable and it is recommended that residents monitor the news.  No evacuations have been ordered for Calabasas or Hidden Hills at this time.

9/28/05 (10:00 p.m.)
The fire has burned over 3,500 acres and is zero percent contained at this time.  Bell, Box, Woolsey and Black Canyons have been evacuated in Chatsworth.  Voluntary evacuations are in place in Lake Manor.  Shelters have been set up at Canoga Park High School and Santa Susana Recreation Center near the MetroLink station.  No areas of Calabasas or Hidden Hills are being evacuated at this time.

9/28/05 (9:10 p.m.)  The fire has burned over 2,000 acres in the Box and Bell Canyon areas of Chatsworth.  Mandatory evacuations are taking place in Box, Bell and Woolsey Canyon.  Contingency evacuations are in place for Lake Manor.  Shelters have been set up at Canoga Park High School and Santa Susana Recreation Center.

9/28/05 (8:00 p.m.) The fire has burned 800 - 1,000 acres in the Box and Bell Canyon area of Chatsworth. As of 8:00 p.m. the fire is headed west, away from Calabasas. The Fire Department urges all residents to be aware that the direction of the fire could change at any time and to be prepared.

9/28/05 (5:30 p.m.)
Although the fire is not headed toward Calabasas, the Fire Department has asked that Calabasas and Hidden Hills residents relocate their horses and large pets out of the area in case the fire quickly changes direction.

9/28/05 (3:30  p.m.)
The Los Angeles County and Ventura County Fire Departments are currently on the scene of a brush fire which started Wednesday north of the Ronald Reagan (118) Freeway in the Chatsworth area.  Firefighters are working to protect structures and currently there are no evacuation orders in place for Calabasas residents.

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