Woolsey fire destroys hundreds of homes, 83 percent of National Parks Service land in Santa Monica
The deadly Woolsey fire has destroyed at least 435 structures – homes, commercial buildings, outbuildings and historic landmarks – but with only 15 percent of the damage assessment completed so far, that number could change.
During a press conference Monday, fire officials said damage assessment teams have only recently been able to get into some portions of the Woolsey fire footprint to determine losses.
Firefighters continued their steady progress battling the deadly Woolsey fire bringing the total containment of the wildfire to 35 percent, according to information released Tuesday morning.
We’re here just before the morning briefing on #Woolseyfire & #Hillfire morning briefings. @VCFD @LACoFDPIO @LAFDtalk @VENTURASHERIFF pic.twitter.com/haq868CI7d
— VCFD PIO (@VCFD_PIO) November 13, 2018
The explosive wildfire which has devoured an estimated 96,314 acres — more than 150 square miles — and has devastated National Parks Service land, burning 83 percent of the park space in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, Cal Fire officials said.
#WoolseyFire [update] at E St and Alfa Road Rd, south of Simi Valley (Ventura County) is now 96,314 acres and 35% contained. Unified Command: CAL FIRE, @VCFD_PIO, @LACOFD, LA City Fire, @LASDHQ, and @LAPDHQ https://t.co/Uixyavgxu0 pic.twitter.com/MAJGLPaex3
— CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) November 13, 2018
Among the buildings destroyed was the Morrison Ranch House, a property dating back to the 1880s that included a ranch house and outbuildings. Movies such as “Of Mice and Men” (1939) and “The Durango Kid” (1940) were filmed there.
Firefighters were able to gain some ground on the fire Monday, pushing the containment rate to 30 percent by 7 p.m. Monday, substantially up from 5 percent on Sunday, despite having to contend with extremely low humidity and at times high winds. Winds are expected to be troublesome through Wednesday.
Resources are somewhat limited, with firefighters battling troublesome blazes in Northern and Southern California, including smaller ones in the same region such as the Peak fire that destroyed 186 acres in Simi Valley before it was contained.
Erupting near the former Rocketdyne site south of Simi Valley in Ventura County on Thursday, Nov. 8, the Woolsey fire quickly moved through million-dollar neighborhoods, parklands and eventually made its way down to the beach. Although electrical equipment has been accused of possibly starting the fire, its cause remains under investigation.
Fire officials will hold a press conference at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, and this story will be updated with new information.
This is a developing news story. Please check back throughout the day for updates.