Parts Of Malibu, Calabasas Remain Under Mandatory Evacuation Orders

MALIBU (CBSLA) — Mandatory evacuation orders were partially lifted Tuesday for Malibu residents as fire crews continue to make progress in the Woolsey Fire.

The blaze, now burning in Malibu after erupting Thursday in the Ventura County city of Thousand Oaks, is 35 percent contained. It has scorched 96,314 acres and destroyed at least 435 structures, damaged two others and still threatens about 57,000.

Residents who live between Coastline to Carbon Mesa Rd, and from the ocean to the northern city limits (with some exceptions) will be allowed entry with proper I.D.

While some evacuation orders for county communities remained in effect, all mandatory evacuation orders for the City of Los Angeles were lifted as of 7:47 p.m. Monday, authorities said.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said they began allowing residents back into Hidden Hills and portions of Calabasas starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

In Hidden Hills, neighborhoods west of Valley Circle Blvd., East of Crummer Canyon Road and north of the 101 Freeway will be reopened to residents. In Calabasas, neighborhoods west of Topanga Canyon Blvd., northwest of Mulholland Highway, north of Stunt Road, east of Las Virgenes Road, east of Lost Hills Road (including Lost Springs and Saratoga), and south of the Los Angeles/Ventura County line.

Sections of Calabasas may still be without power by the time residents are allowed back in, according to SoCal Edison.

Westlake Village neighborhoods along the city limits on the west, from the intersection of Westlake Blvd. and Sycamore Canyon Drive, north to the Ventura County and City of Agoura Hills boundaries will also be reopened, along with neighborhoods along Chesebro Road and Agoura Road from Chesebro to the west.

The remainder of Calabasas remained under mandatory evacuation orders, and Malibu City Councilman Skylar Peak has asked people to refrain from attempting to get back into Malibu by boat.

A community meeting for Malibu-area evacuees was scheduled for Tuesday night at Santa Monica High School's Barnum Hall.

The continuing danger prompted Los Angeles County officials to re-issue a warning to residents in evacuated areas to stay away until conditions are deemed safe.

"Although it may appear that fire threats have passed in some communities, officials warned that the situation remains unstable and can shift dangerously with changes in wind patterns and other unpredictable factors," the advisory noted. Officials noted there are downed power poles and live power lines, live embers that could reignite, buckled roads, landslides and unstable ground, massive debris, unhealthy air quality, poor visibility and now power or cell phone access.

Cal Fire announced Monday night that evacuation orders were lifted for West Hills in Los Angeles and Bell Canyon in Ventura County.

RELATED: Evacuations, Road Closures and School Closures

The Woolsey Fire was blamed for the deaths of two people, who were found inside a burned vehicle in a long driveway in the 33000 block of Mulholland Highway.

"It's the feeling of homicide detectives that the driver became disoriented and the vehicle was overwhelmed by the fire," sheriff's Chief John Benedict said.

Three firefighters have been injured, and Malibu City Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem Jefferson "Zuma Jay" Wagner was recuperating at a hospital from conditions related to his unsuccessful efforts to save his home Friday night.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but authorities are exploring the possibility that SoCal Edison equipment may have sparked the blaze.

Gusty Santa Ana winds continued to rake the communities hardest hit by the Woolsey Fire. Winds of 25 to 35 mph were forecast to blow Tuesday with gusts of 40 to 45 mph, according to National Weather Service Meteorologist Joe Sirard.

(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)

In:
• Woolsey Fire