California wildfires: Malibu EVACUATED as Woolsey Fire JUMPS motorway
THOUSANDS of Malibu residents have been forced to flee as wildfires rip through California.
By JOE DUGGAN
Express.co.uk
Fri, Nov 9, 2018
Malibu was evacuated as blazes roared southwards from the outskirts of Los Angeleles. Two separate fires erupted within miles of each other on Thursday shutting down the 101 Freeway in both directions and sweeping towards the Santa Monica Mountains. There are around 13,000 Malibu residents along a 21-mile stretch of coast.
Fast-moving wildfires on Friday morning led to the evacuation of 75,000 homes as the Woolsey Fire hit parts of Thousand Oaks in Ventura County northwest of Los Angeles.
Several evacuation sites were giving protective masks for residents, Ventura County Emergency Services said.
The Woolsey blaze also struck parts of Los Angeles County, where mandatory evacuation orders were given on Friday morning, US time, the Los Angeles County Fire Department said.
The fire had jumped Highway 101 in several places, including Calabasas and Agoura Hills, as it barrelled south towards coastal Malibu.
A large animal evacuation center was also launched in Malibu.
The Woolsey fire started on Thursday afternoon south of the city of Simi Valley, Ventura County officials said.
Around 10,000 acres of land in Hill Fire was torched in the blaze 10,000 acres by Thursday night, fire officials said.
In Northern California, the Camp Fire headed to the outskirts of the city of Chico early on Friday, forcing thousands to flee after it left though the nearby town of Paradise in ruins, California fire officials said.
Evacuation notices were announced for Chico, which is home to around 93,000 people and is about 90 miles north of Sacramento.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
