California Wildfires, Malibu Evacuates, LA Zoo Closed Near Griffith Park
A slew of wildfires hit Southern California on Friday morning, including the Woolsey fire which forced the evacuation of the city of Malibu as the blaze also threatens the communities of Calabasas and Woodland Hills.
The Woolsey fire doubled in size to 70,000 acres overnight and forcing approximately 75,000 homes under evacuation orders along the Ventura County-Los Angeles County border, CNN reports. It is currently uncontrollable.
The fast-moving fire jumped the 101 Freeway at Chesebro Road at about 5:15 a.m. and is established on the south side of freeway, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.
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MANDATORY EVACUATION – all of City of Malibu, all areas S of 101 Fwy, Ventura County to Malibu Cyn https://t.co/W00a3MimKX
— City of Malibu (@CityMalibu) November 9, 2018
Later on Friday morning around 8 a.m. PT, a small brush fire erupted near the Los Angeles Zoo in the Griffith Park area, covering between two and three acres, according to KABC.
The Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed that the LA Zoo is closed in a statement on its site. The Zoo tweeted that it is “preparing some animals for evacuation and hosing down the most vulnerable hillside areas” and will follow the instruction of the LAFD.
.@LAFD has responded to the fire in Griffith Park and is on the scene. Zoo staff are preparing some animals for evacuation and hosing down the most vulnerable hillside areas. We will continue to follow the instruction of LAFD.
— L.A. Zoo Lights ✨ 11/16—1/6 (@LAZoo) November 9, 2018
Two people have been found dead in the burn areas, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Chief John Benedict confirmed. In addition, Councilmember Bob Blumenfield said in a statement that over 250,000 people have been evacuated from the Ventura County fire areas, and the shifting winds could bring more devastation.
“The strong Santa Ana winds have made this fire unpredictable and the winds are expected to shift today which could mean new areas, including potentially the Western San Fernando Valley,” Blumenfield said.
Read original story California Wildfires, Malibu Evacuates, LA Zoo Closed Near Griffith Park At TheWrap
