- Title: Fire spreads through Agoura Hills
- Date: 9th November 2018
- Summary: AGOURA HILLS, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (NOVEMBER 9, 2018) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF FIRE BURNING ON HILL FIRE DEPARTMENT CAR VEHICLE DRIVES BY MORE FIRE AND SMOKE VEHICLES DRIVING THROUGH THE THICK SMOKE NEAR AGOURA HILLS, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (NOVEMBER 9, 2018) (REUTERS) THICK SMOKE PAN TO SHOW HILLS IN BACKGROUND POLICE CARS DRIVING BY SMOKE BILLOWING ON HILL TOP VARIOUS OF FIRE BURNING POLICE VEHICLES DRIVE THROUGH THICK SMOKE VEHICLES DRIVE - SIGN IN BACKGROUND READS IN ENGLISH: 'LAS VIRGENES RD - MALIBU CANYON' VARIOUS OF FIRE SUN BEAMING - SMOKE BILLOWING HELICOPTER DUMPS WATER OVER FIRE VARIOUS OF FLAMES
- Embargoed: 23rd November 2018 21:52
- Keywords: hills smoke flames trees evacuation
- Location: AGOURA HILLS, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
- City: AGOURA HILLS, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
- Country: USA
- Topics: Disaster/Accidents,Wildfires/Forest Fires
- Reuters ID: LVA00195SCTHJ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Thousands fled from their homes in and around Malibu and Agoura Hills, on Friday (November 9), as a fast-moving wildfire forced evacuations from the celebrity-packed area.
Five people died in Northern California when flames engulfed their vehicles as they attempted to flee Paradise, a mountain town north of Sacramento mostly destroyed by one of three wildfires raging across the state, authorities said on Friday.
Nearly 500 miles to the south, a second blaze forced the evacuation of the upscale oceanside city of Malibu and threatened the beleaguered town of Thousand Oaks, where a gunman killed 12 people this week in a rampage in a bar and dance hall. A third wildfire was also expanding in Southern California's Ventura County.
As of early Friday, the Camp Fire advanced rapidly to the outskirts of Chico, 90 miles north of Sacramento, forcing thousands to flee the city after engulfing the nearby town of Paradise, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) officials said at a news conference.
The blaze, which broke out on Thursday, had more than tripled in size to 70,000 acres (2838 hectares) and was only 5 percent contained.
The entire 12,000 population of Malibu, which stretches 27 miles (43.5 km) along the Pacific Ocean in Southern California and up into the Santa Monica mountains, was placed under mandatory evacuation on Friday as the Woolsey fire exploded overnight and jumped a freeway, fire officials said.
Malibu and nearby Calabasas are home to hundreds of celebrities and entertainment executives attracted by its ocean views, rolling hills and large, isolated estates. Current and former residents include Barbra Streisand, Cher, Tom Hanks, Judd Apatow and Britney Spears.
Residents posted pleas on social media for help evacuating horses and other large animals from ranches, while long lines of traffic clogged the only coastal highway in and out of Malibu.
In addition to the five people found dead in their vehicles, many were forced to abandon their cars and run for their lives down the sole road through the mountain town. About 2,000 structures were destroyed in the area, officials said.
In Southern California, the 10,000-acre (4,047-hectare) Woolsey Fire led authorities on Friday morning to expand mandatory evacuation orders to the entire city of Malibu, known for the many celebrities that call it home.
In all, the Woolsey Fire led authorities to issue evacuation orders for 75,000 homes in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
The Woolsey Fire broke out on Thursday and quickly jumped the 101 Freeway toward Malibu. It was also threatening parts of nearby Thousand Oaks in Ventura County northwest of Los Angeles, the site of the shooting massacre earlier this week. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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