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Roger Kelton searches among the remains of his mother-in-law's home destroyed by the Woolsey Fire on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 in Agoura Hills, Southern California. (AP Photo / Jae C. Hong) The Associated Press
By AMANDA LEE MYERS and BRIAN SKOLOFF, Associated Press
MALIBU, Calif. (AP) – A huge forest fire broke out in southern California before sunrise on Wednesday in a wild and rugged area, while winds blew in parts of the region but forecasts predict a decrease in gusts that fade.
The outbreak took place near the western end of the Santa Monica Mountains, sending a huge column of smoke to the sea, but it was burning in uninhabited natural parks, far from the communities.
The National Meteorological Service said the winds would suffocate enough during the afternoon to allow authorities to reduce forest fire warnings from their highest "red flag" level. Forecasters warned, however, that very low humidity levels would keep hazard levels at "high" or a notch below the red flag level.
The fire that lasted a week in Ventura and Los Angeles counties was controlled to 47%, after burning over 152 km 2 (394 km 2), engulfing homes, escapades in scenic canyons and celebrity domains, officials said.
Authorities allowed residents to return to several other communities on Tuesday, including part of Malibu. Other areas have been repopulated since the weekend. Nearly 250,000 people were forced out at the peak of the fire.
Officials cautiously tempered optimism, saying that there were hot spots and pockets of unburned vegetation that could ignite.
"We are not out of trouble yet, we still have extremely difficult conditions ahead of us," Ventura County Fire Chief Mark Lorenzen said Tuesday.
Woolsey's fire record rose to two: two adults found last week in a car overwhelmed by the flames. They have not been identified.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby warned that the number of houses and other buildings destroyed would reach 435, but that number will certainly increase. Damage assessments continued, with crews accessing the canyon areas on foot.
Some people who have remained in coastal communities that have been cut off by roads have been refueled by boat. Gas, food, baby wipes and horse balls were among the items brought ashore in the Paradise Cove area of Malibu. Some residents put on suits and swam on the ground with crates of water and beer.
"It's really cool, it's really amazing that people know we're a bit stuck here in Malibu," said Cherie Millford Smart.
In addition to homes and other buildings, more than 80% of the National Park Service lands in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area were cremated.
Such a destructive fire has occurred in the area since 1993. It has created a host of hazards, including trees that are ready to fall, power lines that have fallen to the ground, toxins, water pipes and leaks. gas.
A forecast rain event next week would help firefighters, but would also predict potential mudslides, Osby said.
Another fire, which also erupted last Thursday in Ventura County, was controlled to 92% after burning nearly 18 km2. The so-called fire on the hill destroyed two buildings and damaged two.
A new fire erupted Tuesday evening about 121 km east in the Fontana area of San Bernardino County, but firefighters reported satisfactory progress overnight, limiting the fire to 59 hectares.
The cause of the fires in southern California remained under investigation.
Falling power lines and failed transformers have been blamed for many of the deadly fires that have burned in recent years.
A lawsuit was filed Tuesday as a result of a forest fire in northern California, where at least 48 people were confirmed dead in the camp fire that destroyed the city of Paradise. The lawsuit on behalf of some victims accuses Pacific Gas & Electric Co. of causing the huge fire.
An owner near the place where the fire started, said that PG & E had warned him the day before the fire that crews were to visit his property due to the presence of Sparks caused by electrical wires.
Myers reported from Thousand Oaks. Associated Press editors John Antczak and Christopher Weber contributed from Los Angeles.
Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, disseminated, rewritten or redistributed.
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