California Fire News

CA-LAC/LFD MALIBU INCIDENT FINAL UPDATE

Posted: 09 Jan 2007 10:44 AM CST

CA-LAC/LFD MALIBU INCIDENT FINAL UPDATE
- Cal Fire News Morning report

Fire Destroys Homes On Malibu Coast
Four homes destroyed.
Four Homes damaged.

A wind-whipped fire raced through a row of multimillion-dollar homes in Malibu on Monday, destroying four oceanfront residences and a guest house, and damaging four more structures and several vehicles
The fast-moving blaze began inside the Malibu Bluffs State Park, Spot fires spread below to Malibu Road and set fire to the homes along the beach.

-------------------------------------------------------
Fire Ravages Malibu, 4 Homes Destroyed

FROM CBS2
http://cbs2.com/topstories/local_story_008203623.html

(AP) MALIBU, Calif. Four homes and a guest house in Malibu were destroyed in a wildfire Monday and another four were significantly damaged, authorities said. One resident, who was not identified, was hospitalized for smoke inhalation.

Residents had only minutes to get out of their homes -- or try to get back to them to rescue animals -- when a fast-moving but short-lived wildfire raced through an exclusive seaside neighborhood leaving ashes in the footprints of mansions.

Firefighters worked into Tuesday to douse hot spots left after flames, fueled by Santa Ana winds, consumed 20 acres in this celebrity enclave.

"The neighborhood looks like a war zone," County Fire Chief Michael Freeman said. "Anything that was down there that could burn, did burn."

Actress Victoria Principal was among the residents who rushed out to hose down their houses after the fire was reported about 5 p.m. Monday.

"She covered her house with water," said Principal's publicist, Alan Nierob, adding the actress' home was not damaged.

The cause of the fire was under investigation. Arson investigators were at the scene, although fire officials stopped short of calling it suspicious. The blaze was contained by 8 p.m.

"At this time we're not ruling anything out because everything needs to be considered," Freeman said.

Late Monday, residents began returning to their homes, as an ocean breeze filtered the smoky air. A charred black Jaguar sat in front of the skeleton of a former mansion, and burned palm trees littered the street.

Victoria Pinero, co-owner of Little Angels Pet Services, which takes care of dogs and other animals, was housesitting at one of the homes destroyed in the blaze. She said she wasn't home at the time the fire erupted, but rushed back to save the owners' four dogs.

She said she found two dogs, but "we are still looking for the last two dogs. ... We did everything we could," she said, crying. "For these people, the dogs were basically their children."

Fire officials didn't release the names of property owners who lost homes.

The blaze burned near the Malibu Colony, one of the area's original beachfront neighborhoods, dating to the 1930s. The densely built stretch of luxury homes has been a favorite of celebrities over the years.

Famous residents of Malibu include Mel Gibson, Pierce Brosnan, Pamela Anderson, Barbra Streisand, Ted Danson, David Geffen and Courteney Cox-Arquette.

Art dealer Barry Farbenbloom was at the gym when the fire threatened his home, which he bought from actor Bill Murray 2 1/2 years ago.

He said it's wrong to think everyone who lives in Malibu is a millionaire.

"They are not," he said. "There are a lot of average Joes just making a living."

Malibu has frequently been the scene of devastating fires. In 1993, hundreds of homes were lost and three people were killed. A 1996 fire injured 11 people and destroyed six homes.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Around the Net notable:

Suzanne Somers' home burns in Malibu wildfire
POSTED: 1:39 p.m. EST, January 9, 2007

• Actress Suzanne Somers' house destroyed spokeswoman says
• Flames spread over 20 acres in upscale Malibu
• "Neighborhood looks like a war zone," fire chief says
• Actress Victoria Principal among residents wetting down houses

MALIBU, California -- Actress Suzanne Somers' home was one of four destroyed by a wildfire that swept through an exclusive seaside neighborhood of multimillion-dollar homes.
In addition to those destroyed, four other houses were significantly damaged Monday.

Firefighters were still at the scene watching for flareups Tuesday.

One resident who was not identified was hospitalized for treatment of smoke inhalation.

Somers and her husband, Alan Hamel, confirmed that the flames destroyed the former "Three's Company" actress's house.

"It's a total loss".

The burned properties were still smoldering Tuesday, and about 150 firefighters and arson investigators were on the scene.

The blaze had been fanned by Santa Ana wind as it raced through the celebrity enclave near Pepperdine University.

"Red flag" fire danger warnings posted by the National Weather Service remained in effect for much of Southern California because of the strong wind and low humidity.

Residents of Malibu include Mel Gibson, Pierce Brosnan, Pamela Anderson, Barbra Streisand, Ted Danson, David Geffen, and Courteney Cox-Arquette.

Malibu has frequently been the scene of devastating fires. In 1993, hundreds of homes were lost and three people were killed. A 1996 fire injured 11 people and destroyed six homes

Possibly per acre the smallest and most costliest wildland fire ever.

Around the Net:
"It started big and hot and exploded," said Victoria Principal, an actress famous for her role in TV's "Dallas," who was busy hosing down her house. "The wind was swirling. It moved so very quickly." She said she offered people parking, food and water.

According to property records, writer-director Mel Brooks and developer Donald Sterling own homes or once lived in the immediate fire area.

Most of the structures lost were in the $4-6 Million range on the Pacific Coast above PCH... with one being in the $15 million range

Extensive news coverage throughout the Western US.

More will come out on the notable "owners" of the properties in Malibu Canyon.

Possibly per acre the smallest and most costliest wildland fire ever.

Thanks to wildlandfire.com

FIRE WATCH/WEATHER: Red Flags around the state.
Weather conditions were particularly dangerous Monday afternoon for fire-prone Malibu.
Gusts in the area reached 40 mph and the relative humidity was 9%. In the nearby Malibu Hills, gusts were clocked as high as 56 mph about 5:30 p.m.The combination of low humidity and continuing high winds today, although somewhat reduced from Monday's levels, prompted National Weather Service forecasters to issue a red flag warning for much of the Southland into the afternoon.By 8 p.m., officials said the fire was 100% contained, and the winds that blew the blaze to the ocean had calmed.
Red flag rumor mill:
One CDF Type 3 Strike Team has been prepositioned in Santa Clarita since saturday morning. may be here til Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.
Malibu Update: Fire 8 Homes Destroyed, 5 Damaged

Posted: 08 Jan 2007 10:14 PM CST

8 Homes Destroyed, 5 Damaged In Malibu Fire
Fire Destroys Homes On Malibu Coast
Firefighters Battle Huge Fire In Malibu
FIRE WATCH: RED FLAG WARNING

(AP) MALIBU, Calif. A wildfire fanned by fierce Santa Ana winds has destroyed eight seaside homes and damaged five others in the celebrity enclave of Malibu.

Authorities say the fire has charred more than ten acres. It is being fueled by steady winds blowing at more than 20 miles per hour.

Los Angeles County fire Inspector Ron Haralson says more than 300 firefighters are battling the blaze that broke out at about 5 p.m. at West Pacific Coast Highway and Malibu Canyon Road.

Two helicopters are on the scene and two more are on the way. Sheriff's officials say all residents on the west end of Malibu Canyon Road are being evacuated.

Red flag warnings had been posted for much of Southern California due to the siege of gusty north and northeast winds and low humidity.
Update: Google Map of Malibu Fire Location

Posted: 08 Jan 2007 09:04 PM CST

Best guesstimate of Malibu Fire location

Here is a link to California Coastal Records project of the area. The homes are on the beach below Pepperdine.

Malibu Fire Updates - CHP CAD

Posted: 08 Jan 2007 08:56 PM CST

Incident:

2494

Type:

Location:

info as of:

1/8/2007 6:58:37 PM

	ADDITIONAL DETAILS
	6:39PM	PLS AVS TMC TO CHANGE SIGNS*** MALIBU CANYON WILL BE CLOSED AT MULHOLLAND
	6:31PM	ALSO ADVSD MAY BE ADDITIONAL CLOSURES DUE TO THE FIRE, WILL BE NOTIFIED IF ADDITIONAL CLOSURES ARE NEEDED
	6:31PM	PER NICOLE AT LACORDS, WILL RESP TO SB MALIBU CYN AT PIUMA; PCH AT LOS FLORES; SB PCH AT KANAN, WILL RECALL W/ETA, ADVSD POSS LONG TERM CLOSURES
	6:30PM	PER 56-106M LASO IS 1097 AT MULHOLLAND AND AT LAS VIRGENES --
	6:18PM	PER 56-S9 MEDIA CAN SET UP SUNSET AT PCH
	6:12PM	PER LASO PCH IS CLOSED BETWEEN CROSS CREEK AND KANAN
	6:12PM	1039 LASO -- THEY WANT TRAFFIC DIRVERTED BACK INTO THE VALLEY -- NO TRAFFIC THRU TO MALIBU -- RESIDENCE ONLY AT THIS TIME
	6:11PM	1039 LACORDS WITH 1020
	6:06PM	MEDIA IS ASKING IF THEIR NEWS TRUCKS WILL BE ABLE TO ACCESS MALIBU CYN AT PIUMA TO FILM* CAN YOU PLEASE ASK IF IT S PERMISSIBLE? THX, TMC
	6:05PM	PLZ HAVE COUNTY RDS RESPOND FOR CLOSURE - SB MALIBU CANYON AT PIUMA
	6:04PM	CT # 15 10-4 COPIES FOR PCH CLOSURES LINE 19 BELONGS LA CO RDS
	6:00PM	LASO IS ALSO REQG CLOSURE SB MALIBU CANYON AT PIUMA, INFO FOR CALTRANS ALSO FOR THIS 1020
	5:51PM	LASO LL // DIVERT TRAFFIC SB PCH TO KANAN TO THE 101
	5:48PM	LACOFD WAS UNSURE OF THE EXACT 1020 S FOR THE CLOSURE - HAVE SGT RESP TO THE CP
	5:44PM	MALBU RD AT PEPPERDINE AND WEBB WAY - STRUCTURE ON FIRE /// EVACUATIONS
	5:40PM	LASO IS ALSO REQG FURTHER ASSTNCE W/CLOSURE AT PCH AT LOS FLORES
	5:34PM	OTHER 1020 S LISTED ON LOG 2852 THAT LASO IS REQG CHP TO CLOSE
	RESPONDING OFFICERS STATUS
	6:13PM	CHP Unit Enroute
	6:15PM	CHP Unit On Scene
	6:24PM	CHP Unit On Scene

	6:32PM	CHP Unit On Scene

Traffic Information Web Page for the California Highway Patrol, California Highway Patrol, Dispatch, Media, Traffic, CHP, CAD

Malibu fire - PCH - Structures involved - CA-LAC

Posted: 08 Jan 2007 08:25 PM CST

- Wildland interface fire -
Fire in Malibu at PCH at Malibu Canyon Road. Several structures lost already. Started about 1700.

Channel 2 http://cbs2.com/topstories/local_story_008203623.html

CHP LACC has some information.

KRCA Channel 3 - Sacramento covering it live at this time. Looks like multi-million dollar homes are burning above PCH near Pepperdine University. Also looks like the fire is burning towards the Great Pacific Firebreak.

News is saying 10 acres w/ 10 structures burning. Each of those homes are upwards of $2 Million +. Many movie stars live in the area.

Default Re: CA-LAC + (name not known yet)
LFD has sent a strike team, unknown what type.

KNBC TV4 is covering it live. It's on old Malibu Road below Pepperdine on the beach. OMR is only 2 miles long ending on both ends on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH).

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Malibu+Road,+Malibu,+CA
Wind-Driven Fire Burns 10 Structures In Malibu

Posted: 08 Jan 2007 08:33 PM CST

Wind-Driven Fire Burns 10 Structures In Malibu

(AP) MALIBU, Calif. A wind-drivenwildfire ripped across 10 acres in Malibu Monday, destroying 10 structures, including at least two homes.

There was no immediate word of any injuries. The fire was reported at 5:01 p.m. at West Pacific Coast Highway and South Malibu Canyon Road. It was initially reported as a two-acre blaze, but winds up to 20 mph quickly drove the blaze across as many as 10 acres. The flames also moved within about a half-mile of Pepperdine University.

"We know the winds are kicking up," Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Ron Haralson said. "We are in Red Flag conditions right now so we did have additional resources pre-deployed to the Malibu area prior to this fire starting."

As many as 150 firefighters were on the scene, aided by three water-dropping helicopters, Haralson said.

Haralson said there was no immediate word of any evacuations, but ground crews would determine whether to order residents out of the area.

"Historically we know we do have the high brush area right there, homes on both sides of PCH," he said. "We're definitely watching the wind direction and we want to be careful of all the activity around that area."
FIRST RESPONDER TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

Posted: 08 Jan 2007 10:20 AM CST
FIRST RESPONDER TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
- Firetruck Gear
  
  Posted: 08 Jan 2007 01:04 AM CST
  
  Equipment on a Firetruck video - A lot of shit on a Firetruck Huh?
Email Delivery powered by FeedBurner

You are subscribed to email updates from FIRST RESPONDER TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.

Inbox too full? Subscribe to the feed version of FIRST RESPONDER TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT in a feed reader.

If you prefer to unsubscribe via postal mail, write to: FIRST RESPONDER TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT, c/o FeedBurner, 549 W Randolph, Chicago IL USA 60661