NOVEMBER 8, 2018 – THURSDAY

SUMMARY

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. – A brush fire broke out today in the 25000 block of WOOLSEY Canyon Road and in the area of E Street and Alfa Road. This is in northwest San Fernando Valley between the City of Los Angeles, Chatsworth and Simi Valley.

Two wildfires:  WOOLSEY FIRE and the HILL FIRE are burning about five miles apart from each other.  (Note: We are covering them as separate wildfires but may have both referenced in a single post).

Fire conditions are reported as very dry with winds getting stronger overnight.  The relative humidity is also very low, meaning there is no change of precip in this forecast.

INCIDENT TIMELINE

The timeline of this incident is rapidly unfolding and here are the actions and deployment of resources that are being sent:

1421 PST:  The fire has increased the destroyed acreage to 750 and growing quickly.  There was no containment status at this time.  The fire was said to be still a big threat to Los Angeles County.

1424 PST:  COPT21 reports approximately 5+ acres with rapid rate of spread with structures threatened. Winds 25-30 mph.

1426 PST:   Air Attack was reported as requesting four large air tankers and a lead plane as an urgent need for structure protection.

1429 PST:  P73 reported heavy smoke showing from a distance of .25 miles.  A Security Guard advised the area is being impacted two separated wildfires.  The two wildfires are the WOOLSEY FIRE and the HILL FIRE.

1452 PST:  Social media users posting traffic updates.  Portion of 101 is closed. Estimated traffic travel is 4 hours to reach the Pacific Coast Highway also known as the PCH.

1500 PST:  Those following scanner feed reported the fire has burned 50 acres and burning in medium-heavy fire fuels with a rapid rate of spread to the south to west towards Oak Park.  It has been observed to have long-range spotting.

1504 PST:  Strike Team 1102A (E29 E64 E82 E244 E286) has been assigned to this fire. Strike Team 1130A (E558 E570 E5118 E5131 E5191) is moving from the SCV area to the San Fernando Valley. (LA County FD social media user)

1524 PST:  Scanner follower reports IC states fire has burned 600 acres.

1541 PST:  South Ops advises no more available air tankers.

1616 PST:  Aviation buffs following aircraft signatures through various apps showing the Super Scooper, the VLAT (DC10) and other smaller air tankers fighting fire on both wildfire incidents.

1712 PST:  Scanner feed followers are reporting structures in the Bell Canyon are under imminent threat.  Two (2) immediate Type 1 strike teams requested to this area.

1736 PST:  BC589 reporting fire has now burned 800+ acres and still remains at a zero percent containment.  Homes in the Bell Canyon area are under direct threat.  Fire is moving in the direction of the Ahmanson Ranch in the Agoura area, which is in the jurisdiction of LA County Fire Department.

1846 PST:  Simi Police are monitoring the WOOLSEY FIRE south of the City. They state the fire is currently not posing any threats to the Simi Valley area at this time. (Source:  City of Simi Valley PD)

1850 PST:  Fires are near the communities where the Thousand Oaks shooting just occurred recently. (Sources: Social Media, mainstream media)

1852 PST:  Fire weather reported as 66*F, winds are ENE at 28 mph with gusts to 44 mph. RH 58%.  Santa Ana winds are expected to increase later this evening and overnight. (Source:  NWS Los Angeles)

1856 PST:  Fire now burned 1,000 acres with a remaining 0% containment status. Mandatory evacuations in Bell Canyon. Voluntary evacuations cities of Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, Calabasas and Hidden Hills. This is primarily for large animals and the elderly. (Source:  City of Calabasas)

1904 PST:  Sheriff’s reserve units are reporting that the fire is located in two areas of Boeing, to the north-east and north-west of Saddlebow. Firefighters are said to be moving the fire to the southwest.  Structure protection being provided by Firefighters and Sheriff personnel in the Saddlebow area.  Resources are also fighting the fire at the Boeing locations.  Make sure to follow this site for fire and evacuation updates.   (Ventura County Alerts)

Video Credit:  Michael Dubron @MichaelDubron with the LA County Fire Department.

1906 PST:  Three wildfires are now burning:  CAMP FIRE, WOOLSEY FIRE, HILL FIRE can be seen on NOAA sat maps.

1915 PST:  Multiple posters stating the fire has burned from 1500 – 1600 acres and increasing.

2012 PST:  Social media in LA County that follows the Fire Department reports: “Fire under command of Ventura County FD.  Reporting fire is at 1500+ acres (some mainstream media reporting up to an unconfirmed 2,000 acres).  0% containment. LA Co FD has many resources engaged in the fire fight and more ready to provide structure protection in the LA County if needed.

2025 PST:  Social Media users (and mainstream media) reporting one of the wildfires is threatening fuel gantries at the Rocket Dyne site. This was reported previously by many news organizations as possibly being the nation’s worst nuclear meltdown.  Some are saying that Mall of America is wanting to raze the property for development.  Others say that clean-up has been delayed many times to the possibility of not seeing the site completely denuclearized/cleaned up until the year 2030.  Fire is said to be near the area causing fears of how this will impact people downwind.

EVACUATION ALERTS!

2023 PST –> Evacuation Map released by City of Calabasas.  

Photo Credit: City of Calabasas at 2023 PDT from LACoFD, CHP West Valley 

1956 PST –> Mandatory Evacuation for Broome Campgrounds.  (Source: Social Media user)

1955 PST –> Mandatory Evacuation for Sycamore Campgrounds. (Source:  Social Media user)

1856 PST –> Mandatory Evacuations for Bell Canyon.  Voluntary Evacuations for Cities of Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Valley.  Primarily for large animals and the elderly. (Source:  City of Calabasas)

1854 PST –> Mandatory Evacuations for Renaissance and Canyon Oaks Neighborhoods. East of Lindero Canyon Road, North of 101 Freeway, West of Valley Circle Drive.  Evacuation exit –> Evacuees should head South towards the City of Los Angeles.  An evacuation shelter has not been established yet but updates will be provided by the City. (Source:  City of Westlake Village via http://www.wlv.org)

1815 PST –> Sign up for Alerts — Ventura County — Evacuation updates via http://www.cvemergency.com and sign-up for alert VCAlert by texting VCAlert to 313131. (Source:  VCFD PIO)

Unknown Timestamp –> Voluntary Evacuations for Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Westlake Village.  (Source:  CAL FIRE)

1426 PST –> Voluntary Evacuation order for City of Calabasas.  No immediate threat but fire is moving rapidly.  (Source:  City of Calabasas)

EVACUATION SHELTERS – People

Fire and Law Enforcement remind you to do the following when evacuating:  “Prepare a bag containing your ID, Meds, Important docs, emergency supplies & a change of clothes.” (Source:  LA County Sheriff’s Office)

1958 PST –> Evacuation Shelter Open in Camarillo — St. Mary Magdalen Church. 25 Las Posas Rd, Camarillo, CA.

1900 PST –> Evacuation Shelter Open for Newbury Park — Borhard Community Center, 190 Reino Road, Newbury Park, CA. (Source:  American Red Cross)

1900 PST –> Evacuation Shelter Open for Camarillo — Camarillo Community Center, 1605 East Burnley Street, Camarillo, CA. (Source:  American Red Cross)

1900 PST –> Evacuation Shelter Open for Simi Valley — Rancho Santa Susana Rec Center. 5005 Unit C Los Angeles Avenue, Simi Valley, CA.

EVACUATION SHELTERS – Animal

Evacuation Shelter – Both Small, Large Animals — DACC providing shelter for animals for both HILL and WOOLSEY FIRES.  1) Large Animals:  Pierce College. 7100 El Rancho Drive, Woodland Hills, CA 91367. Entrance is off of De Soto.  2) Small Animals:  Borchard Park. 190 N. Reino Road, Newbury Park, CA 91320.  (Next to Newbury Park High School). (Source:  DACC)

Evacuation Shelter – Horses — Castle Rock Farms in Moorpark are offering room for horses impacted by both the WOOLSEY and HILL FIRES.  They can be reached at 805-552-0201.  (Disclaimer:  We have no knowledge of this business and do not lie claim that information listed here is an endorsement for this company.  Always do your due diligence before making any type of financial agreement or give personal info until you have verified their credentials.-Ed.) – (Source:  Castle Rock Farms)

ALERTS!

2021 PST –> Presidential Emergency Declaration Requested — Acting Governor Gavin Newsom sent a letter to the President and FEMA requesting a Presidential Emergency Declaration for Direct Federal Assistance to support the communities impacted by the wildfires.  This includes assistance for the CAMP FIRE in Butte County, HILL and WOOLSEY FIRES in Ventura County, the NURSE FIRE in Solano County and other wildfires in Lassen and Mendocino. (Source:  CA Association of Counties)

2006 PST –> School Closures in the Oak Park Unified School District — All Schools closed.  Oxnard Union High School District — Adoflo Camarillo H.S., Frontier H.S. and Rancho Campana H.S. (Source: VC Stringer)

1956 PST –> Smoke Advisory Issued for San Fernando Valley, NW coastal areas in Los Angeles County.  Smoke Advisory issued for Thursday (11/8) and Friday (11/9) due to both wildfires WOOLSEY, HILL FIRES.  Details here –> http://www.aqmd.gov/docs/default-source/air-quality/advisories/advisory1.pdf  (Source:  South Coast AQMD)

1944 PST –> Emergency Alerts! — Nixle — Sign up for emergency Alerts! Text your zip code to 888777 (Source: Social media poster)

1904 PST –> Classes Cancelled — All Senior classes have been cancelled at the Calabasas Civic Center and Founders Hall.  Parking being shutdown.

1850 PST –> Traffic Alerts — Check out quickmap.dot.ca.gov for traffic updates. (Source:  LAFD Talk)

FIRE IMAGES ON SOCIAL MEDIA

City of Calabasas —  Image from Mountain Park off of Mulholland in Calabasas.  Photo Credit:  City of Calabasas.

SOCIAL MEDIA

We will be updating on this site as information is received.  We would love if you would follow us on our Twitter page @nwfireblog for additional updates.

We are thinking of those in California as they now face a different threat of wildfires after being impacted by the Thousand Oaks shooting.  Please keep all in your thoughts and prayers. We thank you for reading and following our Blog. – Ed.

(c) 2018 NW FIRE BLOG – Updated 11/8/2018 @ 2030 PST

SEATTLE, Wash. – Firefighters were dispatched for a second fire in the same day for a seven-story senior living apartment complex on Saturday, October 6, 2018.  The fire is located in the 700 block of N. 135th Street at the Four Freedoms House of Seattle.

CAUSE

Seattle Fire released information stating the fire was believed to be started in the kitchen.  No preliminary cause has been determined as of yet.

Photo Credit:  Seattle Fire Department

STAFFING

Units A25, AIR10, B4, B6, DEP1, E17, E21,E24, 335, E39, L5, L8, L9, M31, M44, MAR5, REHAB1, SAFT2, STAF10, E31, E16, E9, M16 and SFD PIO were dispatched. (2153)

FIRE TIMELINE

2203 | Smoke was reported to be on floor 4 with an occupant notification. Command was trying to get more details and assigned crews to check it out. E34 had the back-up line and E39 was assigned to Division 4.

2204 | Battalion 4 arrived on-scene and assumed 135 Street Command.

2205 | 10 minutes on the incident timer.

2208 | Units and assignments were Ladder 5 with search and rescue, E35 on floor 5, E24 on the fire floor (4th) and E24 on a hydrant for a water supply (2208)

2211 | E35 located on floor 5 reported there was a dry line stretched to the 5th floor, light smoke observed and they were checking for extensions.

2212 | Division 4 reported that there was water on the fire, heavy smoke on floor 4 and PPV (positive pressure ventilation) requested.

2214 | B4 gave an update:  water on the fire, PPV and searches in progress with L9 in the north end of the building and crews searching for possible victims. Division 4 listed L5, L9 and E24 in his division.  Safety was located on the Charlie side.

2217 | Additional units were dispatched to the fire: E16, E9 and M16. Division 5 was established.

2218 | E31 was on stand-by with a back-up in the West stairwell if needed.

2221 | 1 fire victim (Green – walking on own, no medical assistance needed) was walked out by crew.

2223 | Dispatch notified Command, the incident timer now showed they had been on-scene 25 minutes from the original time of dispatch. Command reported that the fire was under control.

2225 | As crews worked on the interior of the building, the IC known as “Command” was having difficulty understanding the radio transmissions. Crews were told to stand on a balcony or landing then transmit their updates or needs to Command.  Transmissions throughout the incident were very scratchy and unreadable.

2226 | Crews acknowledged they were having some kind of radio issues. They were switching to different channels to attempt to update Command but it was not working.

2229 | Division 4 gave an update: E21 was in the fire unit and reported the fire was knocked down with some hot spots. E31 was on stand-by in the West stairwell with a back-up line if needed, fire crews were on floor 4.

2236 | Reports of water flowing down the West stairwell was said to be due to a 2.5″ broke and firefighters were trying to repair it.  E39 was assigned to replace E35 in Division, while 40 minutes on the incident clock was announced by Dispatch.

2237 | Smoke began clearing on floor 5 and it was confirmed that a PPV was established. A tap fire was announced.

2240 | The RIT team that included E17 and L8 were re-assessing the ventilation plan for floors 4-7, as previous reports of trying to vent the floors of smoke was not working.

2241 | Command announced to all fire crews to hold and state their PAR status and location inside the building. All were accounted for and locations given to Command.

2246 | Primary searches were conducted by L5 and E31 in Division 4.

2249 | Floors 6 and 7 were being cleared of smoke via PPV fire tactics.

2307 | Fire crews began welfare checks of residents by knocking on doors on multiple floors.

2317 | Four people were evaluated for smoke inhalation with one patient transported to the hospital in stable condition via AMR.

2322, 2323, 2329 | Units started to go back into service. REHAB 1. Safety 2. E16.

2325 | Some remaining crews on-scene began checking CO2 levels beginning on floors 6 and 7 and working their way down.

2352 | Debris was being removed from the fire unit on Floor 4, while L8 reported a water issue in the basement that they were checking.  L9 was in the process of being released from the incident, while L8 continued with water removal / water vac responsibilities in the basement up to floors 1, 2 and 3.

2353 | Water damage to two separate units on the 2nd and 3rd floors are being assessed and water removal activities were soon to commence.

0013  (Sunday)| All floors except for floor 4/West wing are ready to be re-occupied.

0015 | We have signed off this incident from Live Coverage on @nwfireblog (Twitter).

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

There is currently no word on the exact cause or financial damage to the building, units and its contents.

(c) 2018 NW Fire Blog – 10/7/2018 @ 0020 Hours PDT