Thousands evacuate as a huge wildfire burning out-of-control sweeps in Southern California that spread to more than 500 acres of land, threatening thousands of homes in upscale residents from famous homes. Hundreds of firefighters battled the blaze in areas of Calabasas and Topanga, forcing about 5,000 residents to evacuate.
John Tripp, County Fire Department Deputy Chief of Los Angeles said Sunday morning the blaze was still ery large to contain on the east and south side because it was up on a mid-slope of the canyon, making it extremely dangerous to do a direct attack. Though authorities lifted the evacuation order for Calabasas at 2 a.m. on Sunday, mandatory evacuation remains for Topanga residents. - Reports ABC News.
Some of the firefighters were injured, one even had a cardiac event, showing how extremely arduous the containment was. Firefighters desperately attacked the fast-moving fire from the air and the ground. The massive wildfire spread really rapidly for it was fueled by the hot, dry conditions and the whipping winds in California. CNN said sheriffs and deputies were also seen grabbing garden hoses from homes of residents to help out.
Raging flames threatened About 3,700 homes shutting down very busy highways in California and have been dubbed the "Old Fire" due to its proximity to Old Topanga Canyon Road. It came right up near Calabasas High School and Viewpoint School.
The inferno started on Saturday afternoon around 4:15 p.m. when a pickup truck traveling at a high speed knocked down a utility pole on Mulholland Highway in Calabasas, causing the transformer to explode causing the brush fire. Officials said 75 percent of the raging brush fire has been contained as of Sunday afternoon but still don't know how many homes were damaged because of visibility concern.
@LACoFireAirOps Firehawk helicopter makes precision water drop on the #OldFire in Calabasas, CA (
