A fire that started Thursday afternoon along the boundary between Ventura and Los Angeles counties was fast expanding, endangering many houses on the hillsides in the Hidden Hills and Calabasas neighbourhoods. The Kenneth fire started about 2:30 p.m. next to a trailhead close to Victory Boulevard.
The Kenneth Fire is currently being investigated as an arson case, and one individual is in custody, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to NewsNation. Among the five wildfires raging through LA County, the Kenneth Fire poses a threat to residences close to Hidden Hills and Calabasas.
By 5:30 p.m., the Los Angeles fire, which was being fuelled by powerful Santa Ana winds, had burned 960 acres of brush and was spreading south, according to officials. It was endangering houses and encroaching on open space in the Malibu Canyon neighbourhood, which is located north of the 101 Freeway close to Calabasas. Water droplets were being created by the air, and firefighters were present.
One person is arrested after arson is suspected in the Kenneth fire
In Woodland Hills, approximately five miles from the fire’s origin, a man was arrested by Los Angeles police on suspicion of arson, according to an LAPD spokesperson. Police stated that at this time, they were unable to link the suspect to the Kenneth fire. In the 21700 block of Ybarra Road, a man was reported by a caller at 4:22 p.m. trying to start a fire, the spokeswoman said.
According to Nathan Hochman, the district attorney for Los Angeles, the alleged arsonist faces a life sentence in prison, which is equivalent to homicide. “Justice will be swift. It will be firm, and the maximum punishment will be sought,” Hochman said on “Banfield.”
“Our goal is to send this warning,” Hochman added.” Whether it’s looting, these internet scams, robbery, or future arsons. … The day and age of a DA’s office standing on the sidelines is over. We want to bring justice, and we will.”
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The Los Angeles region is still experiencing flames that have scorched more than 34,000 acres in total. 400 National Guard personnel have been sent in to protect infrastructure and control traffic as the numerous wildfires continue to burn, and at least 20 people have been arrested on suspicion of looting.
Officials have reported that thousands of people have been displaced and that almost 180,000 people are under evacuation orders due to the several fires.
Speaking to the nation, President Joe Biden declared that he had signed a major disaster designation and a grant for fire management systems in response to the flames.
Biden also commended Californian local leaders for their disaster response. Vice President Kamala Harris, whose residence is within the evacuation zone, referred to the fires as “apocalyptic” and expressed gratitude to firefighters for their efforts.
Around 5:12 p.m., a mandatory evacuation was reduced to an evacuation warning for the vicinity of Vanowen Street south to Burbank Boulevard and County Lane Road east to Valley Circle Boulevard.
The new fire broke out as firefighters continued to fight many other fires in the area, such as the Eaton fire in Altadena, which has burned about 13,700 acres, and the almost 20,000-acre Palisades fire.
Residents and business owners who experienced losses in the designated areas can start the application process for help by using the FEMA App, calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or visiting www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
