SoCal Fire Check-In (December 2017)

Well, here we go again: Southern California is ablaze. A roundup below the fold. MeFites, please check in. The Thomas Fire in Ventura County has been the most prominent, consuming 65,000 acres (so far) with zero containment. The fires began Monday in Santa Paula and have since spread through Ventura (pop. 100,000) to the Pacific Ocean. The City of Ventura has since declared a curfew“to protect all residents of the City of Ventura and to prevent crime such as looting in evacuation areas.” California Governor Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency in Ventura County. The Creek Fire began in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and has spread over 11,000 acres near Sylmar and Lake View Terrace, including parts of the Angeles National Forest. The Rye Fire in Santa Clarita began on Tuesday morning west of Valencia and is now at 7,000 acres, with 5% containment. This morning (Wednesday), the Skirball Fire broke out. The Sepulveda Pass at Mulholland Drive and Sunset Blvd. is on fire, leading to the closure of a major L.A. freeway artery (the 405) and mandatory evacuations in Bel-Air. The 50-acre fire is edging towards the Getty Center and Skirball Cultural Center. Santa Ana winds are expected to pick up to between 30-50 mph over Wednesday and Thursday. Stay safe, my fellow SoCal MeFites, and please share resources and information.