UPDATE, SUNDAY 8 AM: Evacuation orders are being lifted in some Southern California fire areas, but the statewide death count from the California wildfires now stands at 25, making it tied for the deadliest fire in the state’s history.
Southern California’s Woolsey Fire now stands at 83,275 acres scorched and remains at 5% containment. Two deaths have been attributed to that fire, but most of the areas affected have not been explored. Some 57,000 structures are still threatened by the fires, with 177 already burned.
The following Ventura County areas have had evacuation orders lifted as of this morning:
Camarillo Springs (Hill Fire)
California State University Channel Islands (Hill Fire)
Dos Vientos (Hill Fire)
Vallecito Trailer Park (Hill Fire)
Newbury Park – South of Highway 101 to Lynn Road, between Reino Road and Lynn Road (Woolsey Fire)
Thousand Oaks – East of Highway 23 to Erbes Road and north from Thousand Oaks Blvd to Sunset Hills Blvd (Woolsey Fire)
Thousand Oaks – West of Highway 23 between East Olsen Road and Sunset Hills Blvd (Woolsey Fire)
Simi Valley – Long Canyon, Bridal Path, Wood Ranch (Woolsey Fire)
The 101 Freeway, a main north/south corridor, remains closed in both directions at Valley Circle to Reyes Adobe.
Total firefighters battling the Woolsey Fire stands at 3,242, with 418 fire engines and 63 fire crews. There are also 19 helicopters. Santa Ana winds are expected to pick up today through Tuesday, presenting new problems for the firefighters.
UPDATED, Saturday 5:40 PM: During a press conference in Thousand Oaks on Saturday afternoon, officials gave updates on the current conditions at the Woolsey and Hill fires. Fire officials have reported that the Woolsey Fire is five percent contained.
The 101 near Malibu will remain closed with a possibility of re-opening tonight. Officials have also reported that two have been severely burned. Mandatory evacuations will stay in place for more than 265,000 residents in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
Officials will prepare for strong winds Sunday through Tuesday which are expected to be 30 to 40 miles an hour. Cal Fire encourages residents to “must remain vigilant” as the winds will be more severe than in the past few days.
UPDATED, SATURDAY
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