California wildfires dart through Santa Monica Mountains leaving experts worried

Topanga Canyon was evacuated Saturday due to a wildfire raging through the parched scrub of the Santa Monica Mountains.

Residents east of Topanga Canyon Boulevard between Topanga Community Center and Viewridge Road, as well as those north of Entrada Road, south of Oakwood Drive, and east of Henry Ridge Mountain Way were ordered to evacuate by the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Photo by Malachi Brooks.Unsplash

The blaze erupted Saturday, spreading to 750 acres with 0% control and spewing a tremendous cloud of smoke into the sky.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department was hunting for a person accused of starting the fire, according to KNBC-TV. According to the station, Deputy Alejandra Parra of the Sheriff’s Information Bureau verified the search.

Photo by Malachi Brooks.Unsplash

“The terrain is extremely steep and difficult to navigate, making ground-based firefighting operations difficult. The majority of the firefighting is done from the air, according to the fire department.

The National Weather Service sent a bulletin late Saturday afternoon suggesting that firefighters were making progress. “Satellite-derived fire temp/firepower are showing that crews are getting the fire under control,” the weather agency tweeted.

According to the fire department, Topanga Canyon Boulevard is closed between Mulholland Drive and the Pacific Coast Highway.

The Red Cross can help those who have been evacuated find a place to stay for the night. Those in need of assistance should dial (323) 374–3525.

If you ever find yourself out and about and come across a fire that is out of control or uncontrolled, call 911 or your local fire department right away. Even a tiny campfire can become a big conflagration if the conditions are correct. One of the most important wildfire prevention strategies is to say something.

Photo by Malachi Brooks.Unsplash

Never throw lit cigarettes, smoking materials, or matches from a moving vehicle or onto the ground. Both cigarettes and matches provide enough heat to start a fire. Before you toss away any cigarettes, make sure they are entirely extinguished. Carelessly tossing a cigarette butt on the ground can spark many wildfires, especially in severely dry conditions.

One of the biggest challenges of the fire was the transportation of large animals in the area. These animals are being transported to Pierce College.

For locations near the fire, the South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a smoke alert. “Even in areas far from fires or areas not covered by a smoke advisory, if you can smell smoke or see ash from a wildfire, avoid or limit outdoor activities,” the district recommended.

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