Earlier today, Topanga Canyon, California, experienced a brush fire that was intensified by the strong Santa Ana winds. The blaze ignited near Tuna Canyon Park on Swenson Drive, quickly spreading to a two-story building and posing a threat to neighboring structures according to LACoFD PIO tweet.
2ND ALARM BRUSH FIRE | FS69 | 22390 Swenson Drive #Topanga | #LACoFD units are on-scene of a two-acre fire running uphill in heavy brush with a 2 story commercial building fully involved and additional structures threatened #DonFire
— L.A. County Fire Department (@LACoFDPIO) November 9, 2023
The Los Angeles County Fire Department, combating the brush fire and the building flame, brought in helicopters for water drop efforts to quell the inferno. The fire, covering an estimated 5 acres, was 50% contained by 4:30 a.m. as stated in the CBS News report.
Amidst these events, certain Malibu areas were affected by a Public Safety Power Outage due to the potent winds; power was expected to be restored around 5:30 a.m. Though not mandated to evacuate, Malibu residents were advised to brace for possible evacuation until the red flag warning subsided as reported by CBS News.
While initial reports suggested a commercial structure being engulfed by the fire, a detailed aerial inspection revealed the property to be residential according to the ABC7 news report. Fire cause investigations are ongoing.
Forecasters expect the red flag warning spanning multiple areas in Los Angeles County, anticipating gusts up to 50 mph in specific Mountain regions along with the dry conditions, to continue until 6 p.m. today, which can escalate the wildfire risk as per ABC7.
