A new wildfire, identified as the Kenneth Fire, ignited near West Hills on the afternoon of Thursday, January 9, and quickly spread into Ventura County. Fortunately, evacuation orders and warnings for both counties were lifted later that evening as firefighters made significant progress against the blaze.
Authorities are investigating the Kenneth Fire as a potential act of arson, with a person of interest currently detained. The fire rapidly expanded, consuming about 960 acres near Victory Boulevard and moving south towards Hidden Hills. While initial assessments indicated that winds posed a significant challenge, fire officials reported that progress had been made by the evening of January 9, particularly in the areas between Hidden Hills and Mountain View.
L.A. Fire Chief Kristin Crowley emphasized the ongoing threat posed by extreme weather conditions, particularly in light of a historic windstorm affecting the region. The Los Angeles County Fire Department downgraded the mandatory evacuation orders to warnings, and control of the fire fully transitioned to the Ventura County Fire Department by late afternoon.
As of 7 p.m., all evacuation warnings in Ventura County had been lifted. However, the region continued to face red flag warnings for critical fire danger, with forecasts predicting a resurgence of winds into Friday morning, particularly in mountainous areas where gusts could reach up to 75 mph.
Despite the challenges, the coordinated efforts of local fire departments and communities demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity. With conditions improving and evacuations lifted, there is hope for a swift return to normalcy for affected residents.
In summary, while the Kenneth Fire posed significant risks, swift action by fire officials and changing weather conditions have led to an optimistic outlook for the affected communities.