Kenneth Fire 35% Contained, but Officials Warn of Continued Threats
The Kenneth Fire, a fast-moving wildfire threatening homes in Hidden Hills, California—home to numerous celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner—was 35% contained as of early Friday. Officials are warning of potential further destruction as strong Santa Ana winds are forecast to continue.
Fire Details and Containment Efforts
The Kenneth Fire ignited near the west end of Victory Boulevard on Thursday around 2:30 p.m., quickly spreading to consume 960 acres of brush. By 7:45 p.m., the fire had zero containment, driven by powerful winds. However, just before 8 p.m., the Ventura County Fire Department reported that forward progress had been halted, with 400 firefighters working overnight to secure the area, protect structures, and extinguish hot spots.
As of Friday morning, the fire was 35% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). David Acuna, the department’s chief, revealed that over 10,000 structures had already been destroyed, with high winds expected to worsen conditions in the coming days.
Evacuation Orders and Community Impact
Mandatory evacuation orders were initially issued for areas south of Vanowen Street to Burbank Boulevard and from County Lane Road east to Valley Circle Boulevard. These were later downgraded to evacuation warnings by 5:15 p.m. Thursday. Ventura County also lifted evacuation warnings, though officials cautioned that evacuation statuses could change rapidly.
Incident commanders highlighted the challenges posed by the fire’s rugged terrain and relentless winds. “The challenging terrain and persistent winds complicate suppression activities, necessitating heightened vigilance from residents and adherence to directives from local authorities,” read a bulletin.
Amid the chaos, an accidental evacuation alert was mistakenly sent to all of Los Angeles County. Kevin McGowan, director of the LA County Office of Emergency Management, confirmed the error at a news conference, explaining it was a software glitch. “Sometimes technology isn’t perfect,” added Los Angeles County Sheriff Rob Luna, acknowledging the additional stress caused by the mistake.
Celebrity Evacuations and Local Impact
Hidden Hills, known for its celebrity residents, faced significant threats from the fire. Britney Spears, who lives in nearby Thousand Oaks, shared her evacuation experience on Instagram Thursday evening. “I hope you are all doing OK !!! I had to evacuate my home and I’m driving 4 hours to a hotel !!!” she posted, along with a photo of shoes intended to lift spirits. Spears noted that she had been without electricity for two days, only recently regaining access to her phone.
Wildfires Across Southern California
The Kenneth Fire is one of several wildfires currently ravaging Southern California. On Tuesday, wildfires broke out in Pacific Palisades, spreading overnight to Malibu and Santa Monica. As of Thursday, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the Palisades Fire was 6% contained. The Eaton Fire remains at 0% containment.
Other fires include the Lidia Fire, which is 75% contained, and the Hurst Fire, which is 37% contained. According to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner, these fires have claimed 10 lives.
Another blaze, the Sunset Fire, erupted Wednesday night in the Hollywood Hills, endangering landmarks such as the Hollywood Bowl. By Thursday morning, firefighters successfully contained the fire, and all evacuation orders were lifted.
Ongoing Threats and Warnings
The Kenneth Fire continues to pose risks to communities in its path, particularly with strong winds expected to exacerbate the situation. Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and follow instructions from local officials as containment efforts proceed. Despite the progress made overnight, the region remains on edge as firefighters work tirelessly to protect lives and property.
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