Firefighters are urgently working to control a new wildfire, named the Kenneth fire, which ignited near residential areas in Calabasas and West Hills, located northwest of Los Angeles, on Thursday afternoon. The fire was reported around 2:30 p.m. in the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve, an area characterized by dry brush north of the 101 Freeway. By 3:45 p.m., the fire had expanded to approximately 50 acres and was spreading swiftly.
The Kenneth fire poses a threat to communities in the west San Fernando Valley, impacting areas near Hidden Hills, Woodland Hills, and West Hills. It is particularly concerning due to its proximity to a trailhead at Victory Boulevard, close to the L.A.-Ventura County border.
As California grapples with ongoing fire challenges, officials are noting substantial losses from recent wildfires, with more than 6,000 structures devastated due to the Palisades and Eaton fires, resulting in at least five confirmed fatalities—a number that may increase. Over 130,000 residents are currently under evacuation orders, underscoring the potential for these fires to become one of the most devastating wildfire disasters in U.S. history.
So far, authorities have enacted mandatory evacuation orders for areas located between Vanowen Street south to Burbank Boulevard and County Lane Road east to Valley Circle Boulevard. An evacuation warning has also been issued for regions between Valley Circle and Woodlake Avenue. In Ventura County, residents near Kanan Road and Agoura Road, as well as all residents of Bell Canyon, are under an evacuation warning.
At this time, no shelters have been established for evacuees, leaving many individuals seeking refuge.
This wildfire serves as a stark reminder of the increasing challenges faced in wildfire management, stressing the importance of community readiness and resource allocation. With proper response efforts, it is hoped that firefighters will successfully contain the blaze, protecting both lives and property from this ongoing threat. Continued vigilance and resilience from both authorities and residents can greatly aid in overcoming these difficult circumstances.